Understanding the impeachment process for government officials

Understanding the impeachment process for government officials House lawmakers are pushing to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over his role in U.S. military actions in Iran, Yemen, and Venezuela, alleging "high crimes and misdemeanors." Advertisement Updated: 5:23 PM EST Nov 10, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Amy Lu Washington Correspondent Understanding the impeachment process for government officials House lawmakers are pushing to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over his role in U.S. military actions in Iran, Yemen, and Venezuela, alleging "high crimes and misdemeanors." Updated: 5:23 PM EST Nov 10, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Amy Lu Washington Correspondent Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing a push for impeachment from some House lawmakers over his role in U.S. military actions in Iran, Yemen, and Venezuela, which they claim amount to "high crimes and misdemeanors." "In the 250 years of our American republic, no Secretary of War or Secretary of Defense has ever been impeached for carrying out lawful military operations," Hegseth said. Advertisement Impeachment is a formal charge of misconduct or wrongdoing by a government official. The process begins with House lawmakers determining if there is enough evidence to justify impeachment. If a majority in the House votes in favor, the matter moves to the Senate. While no defense secretary has been impeached for military operations, a secretary of war has been impeached for other reasons. According to the Get the Facts data team, William W. Belknap, who served as secretary of war in 1876, was impeached for "disregard for his office and accepting payments in exchange for making official appointments." A House vote on Hegseth's impeachment could happen in the coming days. If approved, he would join a list of federal judges, one U.S. senator, two cabinet secretaries, and three presidents—including President Donald Trump, who was impeached twice by the House, according to the Get the Facts team. Defense secretary calls impeachment effort 'a political spectacle' If the impeachment reaches the Senate, the official would face a trial that could result in acquittal or removal from office. Make WLWT a preferred source on Google Add Preferred Source Share Infinite Scroll Enabled Top Picks Ole Miss student apologizes after video showing women making racist gestures sparks backlash Video: Drone delivers food to ape stranded during Florida flooding Public health alert issued for three frozen meat products, USDA warns Paul McCartney achieves billionaire status, becomes world’s third-richest musician