Developments are rapid in the US, where political and social discontent is mounting over the illegal and irrational war against Iran. Democratic Representative Yassamin Ansari has filed an impeachment motion against US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, continuing to challenge the legitimacy of the military operation against Iran.
Fierce attack against the Trump administration
"What we have seen from the Donald Trump administration this weekend is absolutely terrifying and heartbreaking," said Ansari, who is of Iranian descent. "The threats against Iranian civilian infrastructure and the country of Iran as a whole are surreal and revealing," she stated. "Iran is a country of 90 million people, and the threat of their extermination constitutes a monstrous war crime."
Accusations of Constitutional violations
She characterized Hegseth as a "facilitator" of the war and responsible for coordinating "senseless military action," which she said has already caused the deaths of thousands of civilians as well as several American service members. The Representative from Arizona added that Hegseth has "repeatedly violated" the Constitution, ignoring Congress and proceeding—as she claimed—with the "deliberate targeting" of civilian infrastructure.
What the impeachment process entails
The impeachment process in the US is strictly defined by the Constitution and concerns high-ranking officials, such as Secretaries (e.g., Secretary of Defense), the President, and judges. It does not automatically mean removal from office—it is a two-stage politico-legal process:
First stage: Impeachment by the House
The House of Representatives has the sole power to bring charges. The process begins with a resolution (articles of impeachment), such as the one filed by Yassamin Ansari, followed by committee review and a floor vote. If approved by a simple majority, the official is considered "impeached" (meaning charged) but remains in office.
Second stage: Trial in the Senate
The case moves to the Senate, which functions as a court. The "prosecutors" are members of the House, while senators act as jurors; there is a hearing process and presentation of evidence. To achieve a conviction, a two-thirds majority of senators is required. If the Senate convicts, the official is immediately removed from office and may be disqualified from holding future public office. If the two-thirds threshold is not met, the official is acquitted and remains in their position.
Realistically, it is very difficult for the impeachment of Pete Hegseth to proceed to the end—and even harder to lead to removal. For Yassamin Ansari's proposal to have a chance, two things must happen: First, it must pass the House of Representatives, which requires a simple majority. Second—and this is the critical part—it must be convicted in the Senate by a two-thirds majority. This means a significant number of Republicans would need to turn against the Donald Trump administration, something that is historically extremely rare.
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