Jeffries: Gas Prices Force Hand on Iran War, Hegseth Must Go
Incoming Speaker Hakeem Jeffries pledges to push for a war powers vote and committee probes, though he stops short of backing impeachment for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
By Austin Reed ·
Americans paying more for fuel and food will see a direct response from the incoming Democratic leadership in Congress. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is expected to become the next Speaker, said his party intends to end the conflict in Iran because it has driven up the cost of everyday essentials.
Jeffries described the conflict as a war of choice that has skyrocketed the price of gas, diesel, and fertilizer. He said these increases have raised the cost of groceries for households across the country.
The New York Democrat told NPR's Morning Edition on Friday that Democrats should not wait for the new Congress to convene to act. With majorities in both the House and Senate, he said the party can pass a war powers resolution to force President Trump to end the war. The resolution would go to the president, who could sign it or veto it. Overriding that veto would require two-thirds majorities in both chambers, a threshold Democrats currently do not meet.
The leadership also plans to investigate alleged wrongdoing by the Trump administration. Jeffries said the House Judiciary and Oversight committees will lead these accountability efforts. He noted that the committees will follow the facts and apply the law to determine if any officials broke the rules.
Jeffries took a firm stance on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, calling him the most unqualified secretary of defense in American history. He said Hegseth should never have been confirmed by Senate Republicans and that the official has damaged military readiness.
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky has threatened to force a House vote on eight articles of impeachment unless Hegseth resigns. When asked if Democrats would join that effort, Jeffries said the caucus would have that conversation immediately upon their return. He stopped short of committing to the vote, saying he did not want to get out ahead of the caucus.
"He's got to go," Jeffries added. He defended the party's recent electoral victory, stating that Democrats battled Trump on every issue and decisively defeated him a few days ago.
