Hakeem Jeffries backs Pete Hegseth impeachment resolution

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Sunday he is a "hard yes" on impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, endorsing Rep. Thomas Massie's privileged resolution that could bring a House vote.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

"The so-called secretary of defense has abused his power, undermined our national security, and engineered this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran, which has skyrocketed prices on the American people and made the country less safe," Jeffries, a New York Democrat, told co-anchor Jonathan Karl on ABC News' "This Week."

Massie, a Kentucky Republican, said he plans to reintroduce the privileged resolution as early as Monday. Once a privilege question reaches the House floor, leaders must schedule a vote on it within two legislative days.

His resolution includes eight impeachment articles, one of which accuses Hegseth of violating the War Powers Resolution of 1973. On Thursday, Massie wrote on X that he would bring the articles back unless Hegseth resigns.

The timing of a House vote and the number of Democrats and Republicans who would support impeachment were not immediately clear. It was also unclear whether Republican leaders would seek to table or refer the resolution.

Massie has frequently clashed with President Donald Trump, and the outgoing lawmaker lost his primary to an opponent Trump backed.

Democrats captured both chambers of Congress in the Nov. 3 midterm elections. The Hill said Jeffries is expected to become speaker when the new majority takes over in January.

The west front of the United States Capitol with its dome above lawns and pathways (file photo, 1997). Photo: United_States_Capitol_-_west_front.jpg : Architect of the Capitol derivative work: O.J / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

House Republican leaders are preparing for enough GOP members to cross party lines to impeach Hegseth if the measure reaches a vote this week, Axios reported. Before Election Day, the outlet said, Republican leaders avoided a vote on the measure after Speaker Mike Johnson canceled votes and sent lawmakers home early. Johnson has denied that the impeachment vote prompted his decision.

In a video posted on X on Thursday, Hegseth said "a disgruntled, defeated congressman, along with all his Democrat allies, has also dropped sham articles of impeachment against yours truly, just like they tried against President Trump twice."

"It's all about the politics of personal destruction. Didn't work against President Trump, and it won't work with me," Hegseth said.

Trump defended Hegseth to reporters Thursday, saying he has "done a fantastic job." This week, he also told ABC News, "I have every intention to keep him."

Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told Axios that "Secretary Hegseth will not back down or be deterred by politicians seeking to score partisan points or launch phony investigations where no wrongdoing exists." Parnell said Hegseth is "100% committed to leading the Department until the end of President Trump's term in office."

A House impeachment would not remove Hegseth, which would require a two-thirds Senate vote. Massie urged Trump to replace him while Republicans retain Senate control. Should Hegseth still hold the post in January, the incoming Democratic House majority will have the power to investigate him and pursue impeachment.

Jeffries said his conference will "have that conversation" Tuesday morning when asked whether every House Democrat would back the resolution. Members will gather in Washington then for the first time since the midterm election.

"But I believe there will be incredibly strong support for that resolution," Jeffries told ABC News.