World · World News Bureau
Democratic leader demands defense secretary's ouster amid controversy
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has called for the removal of Pete Hegseth as U.S. Defense Secretary, though he has not advocated for formal impeachment proceedings against the Pentagon chief.
LSN World News ·
Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, on Tuesday demanded that Pete Hegseth step down from his position as Secretary of Defense, citing unspecified controversies surrounding the appointee.
In his public statement, Jeffries declared that Hegseth "has got to go," reflecting growing concerns within Democratic ranks over the Defense Secretary's suitability for the role. However, the senior legislator stopped short of calling for impeachment, the formal mechanism through which Congress can remove a cabinet official.
The demand marks an escalation in Democratic criticism of Hegseth, whose tenure has drawn scrutiny from opposition lawmakers. Jeffries' position suggests that while Democrats view his removal as necessary, they have not yet mobilized around formal removal procedures.
Hegseth, who assumed office as Defense Secretary, has faced mounting pressure from Democratic officials in recent weeks. The precise nature of the controversies prompting Jeffries' call for removal remained a focal point of ongoing political debate.