Jeffries pledges war powers vote as he defends Hegseth removal push

Eight articles of impeachment stand ready to be voted on in the House, a threat that has placed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the center of a fierce partisan battle. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is set to become the next Speaker of the House, confirmed on Friday that the incoming Democratic leadership will move quickly to force a vote on the Iran conflict. He described the war as a "war of choice" that has driven up the cost of gas, diesel, and fertilizer, increasing the price of everyday goods for American consumers.

Jeffries told NPR's Morning Edition that Democrats should not wait for the new Congress to organize before acting. With majorities in both chambers, he said the party plans to pass a war powers resolution. This legislation would require President Donald Trump to either sign the measure or veto it. Overriding a presidential veto requires two-thirds majorities in both the House and the Senate, a threshold the current Democratic caucus does not yet meet.

The question of how far Democrats will push regarding the Trump administration’s leadership has become a central issue. Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky has stated he will force a House floor vote on eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth if the secretary does not resign. Jeffries called Hegseth "the most unqualified secretary of defense in American history." He noted that he first called for Hegseth to be fired by Trump in the spring of 2025 and maintained that position has not changed.

When asked directly whether Hegseth should be impeached, Jeffries said, "I don't want to get out ahead of the caucus." He added, "He's got to go." This response suggests the party will debate the specific mechanism of removal, whether through resignation, firing, or formal impeachment proceedings, in its first caucus meeting. Jeffries emphasized that the House Judiciary and Oversight committees will lead investigations into alleged wrongdoing by the administration.

Jeffries defended the party's record, stating that Democrats had battled Trump on every issue and decisively defeated him in the recent midterms. He addressed voter calls for new leadership by saying the decision on the next Speaker rests with the House Democratic Caucus. He characterized the recent election results as a strong rebuke of MAGA extremism and a mandate to make life more affordable.

The incoming leadership has outlined a dual strategy of economic relief and accountability. Jeffries said the party will work to drive down the price of groceries, gas, and housing while holding officials accountable for corruption. He noted that the House Oversight Committee, chaired by incoming member Robert Garcia, has already begun preparing to investigate the Trump family. This approach aims to balance legislative action with oversight responsibilities in the new term.

Jeffries acknowledged that the party faces pressure to demonstrate that it can deliver results without engaging in what he called "political theater." He stated that the party will function as a separate and co-equal branch of government, applying the law and following the facts. The incoming Speaker's office will coordinate these efforts with relevant committees across the Congress to ensure a unified legislative agenda.

The immediate next steps for the new House leadership include convening the Democratic Caucus to finalize its strategy. This meeting will determine the specific timeline for the war powers resolution and the approach to the Hegseth controversy. The outcome of this internal debate will set the tone for the party's first 100 days in power and its relationship with the White House.