'I'm a hard yes': Hakeem Jeffries announces support for Hegseth impeachment

Jeffries predicted "incredibly strong support" among Democrats for it.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) came out in support of impeaching Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Sunday, telling ABC News he's a "hard yes."

"I'm a hard yes on the Hegseth resolution. The so-called secretary of defense 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," Jeffries said on ABC's "This Week." "Pete Hegseth has got to go."

Asked by "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl if he's confident all House Democrats will join him in supporting the potential resolution, Jeffries said his conference will "have that conversation" on Tuesday morning, when members convene in Washington for the first time since the midterm election.

"But I believe there will be incredibly strong support for that resolution," Jeffries said.

Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, the outgoing Republican lawmaker who has often clashed with President Donald Trump, told ABC News he intends to reintroduce a privileged resolution to impeach Hegseth as early as Monday. By raising a question of privilege on the floor, leaders are required to schedule a vote on it within two legislative days.

Massie’s resolution contains eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth, accusing the defense secretary of violating the War Powers Resolution of 1973, in addition to other alleged offenses.

Thus far, Trump has defended Hegseth, telling reporters Thursday that he has “done a fantastic job.” The president also told Karl the same day, “I have every intention to keep him.”

Hegseth also defended himself Thursday in a video posted on social media.

“A disgruntled, defeated congressman, along with all his Democrat allies, has also dropped sham articles of impeachment against yours truly, just like they tried against President Trump twice,” Hegseth said. “It's all about the politics of personal destruction — didn't work against President Trump, and it won't work with me.”