Jeffries says Hegseth has got to go but declines to endorse impeachment

Democrats could pass a war powers resolution but lack veto-proof majorities

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Friday that Democrats will push to end the war in Iran and hold Trump administration officials accountable after the party’s midterm victories, but he stopped short of saying whether the party will pursue impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Speaking with NPR’s Morning Edition, Jeffries, the New York Democrat who is poised to become the next Speaker of the House, called the conflict a “war of choice” that “has skyrocketed gas prices, diesel prices and fertilizer prices,” raising the cost of everyday goods. He said Democrats “shouldn’t have to wait” for the new Congress to act.

With majorities in both chambers, Jeffries said, Democrats could pass a war powers resolution to try to force President Trump to end the war. Such a resolution, if passed, would present Trump with the choice to sign it or veto it.

Overriding a veto would require two-thirds majorities in both chambers. As of now, Democrats are short of a veto-proof majority in both. How far Democrats will go remains unclear.

On Hegseth, Jeffries stopped short of supporting impeachment proceedings. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky has threatened to force a House vote on eight articles of impeachment unless Hegseth resigns. “We’ll have that conversation,” Jeffries said, calling Hegseth “the most unqualified secretary of defense in American history.”

Asked directly whether Hegseth should be impeached, Jeffries said, “I don’t want to get out ahead of the caucus.” “He’s got to go,” he added.

Jeffries said the House Judiciary and Oversight committees would investigate alleged wrongdoing by the Trump administration.

Asked about voters calling for new Democratic leadership, including the next House speaker, Jeffries said the decision rests with the House Democratic Caucus. He defended the party’s record, saying Democrats had “battled Trump on every issue up until this point and then just decisively defeated him a few days ago.”