How Would Hegseth Impeachment Work? The Complete Process Explained
\n\nDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing a possible impeachment in Congress, with a House vote expected as early as midweek. The effort, led by outgoing Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, has raised a question that often comes up around congressional action against a president: how does impeachment work for other US government officials?
\n\nThe same provision that allows Congress to impeach a president, Article II, Section 4, also gives it the authority to impeach and remove federal officials, including Cabinet secretaries. It states that “the President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” Cabinet secretaries fall under the phrase “all civil Officers of the United States.”
\n\nThere is no strict definition of “high crimes and misdemeanors,” and it isn’t necessarily akin to a violation of a criminal statute or a court conviction. Historically, impeachment has been used to address abuses of official power and breaches of public trust. Because the Constitution does not spell it out, lawmakers decide what constitutes impeachable acts.
\n\nThe process is very similar. Cases originate in…
Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/world
