Representative Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) said Thursday that if Democrats regain control of Congress in the midterm elections, impeaching Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will be a top priority, according to a clip aired on MSNBC’s “On the Line.”
During the interview, Auchincloss sharply criticized the administration’s handling of the ongoing Middle East conflict, arguing the war was launched without proper consultation or planning. “There was no plan for this war,” the Massachusetts Democrat said. “This president launched this war without consulting allies, without consulting Congress, without consulting his own cabinet.”
The congressman’s remarks come as the conflict enters what he described as a potential “quagmire,” warning that the situation could deteriorate further if Congress fails to intervene. “When the very top of the chain of command is corrupt, is incompetent, cannot articulate a mission, cannot execute a mission, it starts to corrode the very basis of that good order and discipline,” Auchincloss said.
He added: “This is what makes me so worried about the continuation of this quagmire in the Middle East, is that, however bad it is right now, it could get so much worse if Congress does not take away the reins from this president.”
Host Alicia Menendez pressed Auchincloss on his previous calls for Hegseth’s resignation, asking directly whether impeachment would be a priority if Democrats were to take back control of Congress.
“Yes, it should be, absolutely,” Auchincloss responded. “We need an inquiry. We need oversight and investigations. And if the facts yield an impeachment recommendation, we need to pursue that vigorously.”
The Democrat did not hold back in his assessment of Hegseth’s performance, saying the defense secretary was unqualified from the start. “This man was unqualified and incompetent to the post on day one,” Auchincloss said, “and he has underperformed those abysmal expectations.”
The comments mark an escalation in rhetoric from a sitting congressman, as Democrats look ahead to the 2026 midterm elections and possible avenues for oversight if they regain the majority. Auchincloss’s call for an inquiry signals that impeachment could become a central talking point in the campaign cycle, particularly amid scrutiny of the administration’s handling of the Middle East.
The term “Secretary of War” used by Auchincloss is an anachronistic reference to the role now known as Secretary of Defense, a title change that took place in 1947. His use of the older designation appeared deliberate, underscoring his critique of what he sees as outdated and reckless leadership.
Neither Hegseth nor the White House has responded publicly to Auchincloss’s latest remarks. The defense secretary has previously defended the administration’s strategy in the Middle East, but those comments have done little to quell criticism from some lawmakers who argue the conflict lacks clear objectives.
As the midterm season heats up, the prospect of impeachment proceedings against a sitting defense secretary would be a dramatic departure from recent political norms, raising questions about the extent to which such a move could reshape the political landscape.
Auchincloss’s comments were first reported by Breitbart, which aired the exchange from the MSNBC program.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2026/08/13/dem-rep-auchincloss-after-midterms-impeachment-of-hegseth-will-be-a-priority/