Impeaching Peter B. Hegseth, Secretary of Defense of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.

Bill Number

H.Res. 1177

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-04-15: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-05-15T08:07:23Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This resolution (H. Res. 1177) impeaches Peter B. Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense, for high crimes and misdemeanors—serious offenses that justify removal from office under the U.S. Constitution. It presents six articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial.

Key Provisions

The resolution outlines six articles accusing Hegseth of misconduct:

• Article I: Unauthorized War Against Iran and Reckless Endangerment

Claims he initiated and escalated military actions against Iran without congressional approval (violating Article I of the Constitution, which gives Congress sole power to declare war, and the War Powers Resolution—a 1973 law requiring presidential notification and limits on undeclared wars). Accuses him of poor consultation with Congress, undefined objectives, and exposing U.S. troops to unnecessary risks, including potential ground operations.

• Article II: Violations of the Law of Armed Conflict and Targeting Civilians

Alleges he authorized or failed to prevent attacks causing civilian deaths and infrastructure damage (e.g., a girls' school in Iran), ignored rules to protect non-combatants (like "double tap" strikes—repeated attacks on rescuers), and violated international laws like the Geneva Conventions (treaties protecting war victims). Cites his statement of "no quarter, no mercy" as an illegal order (banning surrender denial).

• Article III: Negligence and Reckless Handling of Sensitive Military Information

Accuses him of using unsecured apps (e.g., Signal) for classified discussions, breaching security laws and endangering personnel.

• Article IV: Obstruction of Congressional Oversight

Claims he withheld information on military operations, civilian casualties (in Iran, Venezuela, etc.), blocking Congress's constitutional duty to oversee the executive branch.

• Article V: Abuse of Power and Politicization of the Armed Forces

Alleges he made military decisions for political gain, interfered in personnel matters (e.g., fake investigations for retribution), and undermined the military's nonpartisan tradition.

• Article VI: Conduct Bringing Disrepute

States his actions eroded public trust, damaged U.S. credibility (e.g., with NATO—the North Atlantic Treaty Organization alliance), and harmed military cohesion by discriminating against women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, and transgender servicemembers (e.g., forced separations, blocking promotions, restricting reproductive care, biased standards).

Each article ends by stating Hegseth "warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office."

Significant Changes to Existing Law

None. This is a house resolution initiating impeachment, not a new law. It relies on existing constitutional processes (U.S. Constitution Articles I and II) without altering statutes.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Could disrupt Department of Defense (DoD) leadership if Hegseth is removed, affecting military operations and oversight.
• Citizens/Servicemembers: Heightens risks to troops from alleged reckless actions; addresses concerns over discrimination and security breaches.
• International Relations: May strain ties with Iran, Venezuela, NATO allies; questions U.S. commitment to international humanitarian laws.

If the House approves, it triggers a Senate trial; conviction requires a two-thirds vote for removal and disqualification from office.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Peter B. Hegseth (directly targeted).
• U.S. Congress (House initiates; Senate tries).
• Department of Defense and Armed Forces (leadership, operations, personnel).
• U.S. Servicemembers (exposed to risks, affected by policies).
• Iranian Civilians and Government (alleged targets).
• U.S. Allies (e.g., NATO) and adversaries (e.g., Venezuela).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Constitutional: Invokes separation of powers (Congress vs. executive war authority), oath of office, and impeachment clauses; challenges executive overreach in military actions.
• Legal: References War Powers Resolution, Geneva Conventions, and U.S. security laws; potential for related criminal probes if removed.
• Political: Introduced by 15 Democrats (April 15, 2026); referred to Judiciary Committee. Signals partisan divide on defense policy, military conduct, and civil-military relations. Success unlikely without bipartisan support.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]

Cosponsors (16)

Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]

Recent Actions

• 2026-04-15: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2026-04-15: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Impeaching Peter B. Hegseth, Secretary of Defense of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors. — issued 2026-04-15 — PDF (7 pages)