New Kentucky Democrat avoids talk of Hegseth impeachment

Incoming Democratic Rep. Zach Dembo of Kentucky called discussions of impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth "premature" after a House vote to advance impeachment articles failed. He stated he was elected to focus on costs and corruption, not impeachment. Dembo, a former Navy Judge Advocate and federal prosecutor, said he would not speculate without seeing evidence, though he stressed Pentagon accountability must be a priority. His comments followed House Republicans shelving eight impeachment articles filed by Rep. Thomas Massie against Hegseth. The articles cited Hegseth's leadership during the Iran war and alleged abuses, including the seizure of Venezuela's president and extrajudicial killings. Eleven Democrats missed the vote, drawing criticism, while some Democrats and Sen. Ted Cruz predicted Hegseth's ouster remains likely.