House Democratic Party Leader and incoming House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said Democrats plan to pursue the impeachment of War Secretary Pete Hegseth before the end of the year and again after the new Congress is sworn in during January.

Jeffries delivered his blunt endorsement during an appearance on ABC’s This Week.

“I’m a hard yes on the Hegseth resolution. The so-called secretary of war has abused his power, undermined our national security, and engineered this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran, which has skyrocketed prices on the American people and made the country less safe.”

“Pete Hegseth has got to go,” Jeffries said.

JUST IN: SecWar Pete Hegseth is about to face IMPEACHMENT and Hakeem Jeffries just confirmed he's a "HARD YES" on the resolution

"I believe there will be incredibly strong support for the resolution." "I'm a hard yes on the Hegseth resolution...he has abused his power...Hegseth has got to go!" Yeah, so they win the House and their primary objectives are IMPEACHMENT and LAWFARE Already over-reaching. Pete is warriors-first, overseeing a surge in morale and recruitment and the troops love him He's not GOING ANYWHERE — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 8, 2026

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House Democrats are expected to discuss the resolution Tuesday when members return to Washington for the first time since the November midterm elections. Jeffries predicted the proposal would receive “incredibly strong support” from Democrats, although he stopped short of claiming the entire caucus would back it.

The resolution is expected to be reintroduced by outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) before the end of the year. Massie previously filed eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth in September.

Those articles cited alleged violations of the War Powers Resolution of 1973 connected to United States military operations in Iran. They also included other allegations involving military actions and congressional oversight.

Massie’s earlier effort did not receive a floor vote after the House adjourned early.

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Massie has said he plans to reintroduce the privileged resolution as early as Monday or during the opening week of the lame duck session. That session is expected to begin around November 9, and Massie’s plan depends on Hegseth remaining in office.

There is one contingency in which I won’t reintroduce the articles of impeachment:

Hegseth resigns. — Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) November 5, 2026

Under House Rule IX, a privileged resolution requires the Speaker to schedule consideration within two legislative days. That would force the House to address the measure on an accelerated timeline.

Massie has placed the resolution’s chances in the current House, which Republicans control, at better than 50%. He pointed to anticipated support from Democrats and the possibility that some Republicans may become more willing to support impeachment after their campaigns have ended.

According to Massie, Hegseth’s resignation is the only circumstance that would prevent him from reintroducing the resolution.

If the House approves the resolution during the lame duck period, Hegseth would be impeached, and the matter would advance to the Senate for trial. Republicans would still control the Senate until early January.

Democrats won majorities in both the House and Senate during the November 2026 midterm elections. They are scheduled to take control when the 120th Congress convenes on January 3.

With control of the House, Democratic leaders could pursue impeachment through regular order instead of relying entirely on a privileged resolution. That approach could include committee investigations and hearings before the chamber considers articles of impeachment.

Jeffries and other Democrats previously said they would seek “accountability” for Hegseth if he remains in office. Their options would include the oversight powers available to the House majority.

The Constitution gives the House the sole power to impeach the president, vice president, and civil officers of the United States. Cabinet secretaries fall within that category.

Impeachment requires a simple majority vote in the House on at least one article alleging treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. Approval of any article means the official has been impeached.

The case then proceeds to a trial in the Senate. For the trial of a cabinet official, the vice president or the Senate president pro tempore presides rather than the chief justice.

Conviction and removal require support from two thirds of the senators present. No Cabinet secretary has been convicted and removed by the Senate after impeachment.

Secretary of War William Belknap was impeached in 1876 after resigning before his trial, and the Senate later acquitted him. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was impeached in 2024, but the Senate declined to conduct a trial.

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