Law professor argues Hegseth should be impeached over threats to Sen. Kelly
Rachel E. VanLandinghamProfessor of law and retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, writing an opinion column
In a signed opinion column, law professor and retired Air Force officer Rachel VanLandingham argued that Hegseth should be impeached over his threats to court-martial Sen. Mark Kelly. The characterisation of those threats is hers.
“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should be impeached for his abusive threats to court-martial Navy combat veteran Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., in retaliation for the senator’s participation in a video reminding service members of their extant legal duty to disobey unlawful orders.”
Analysis
Where this statement fits
Should Pete Hegseth be impeached?
Members of the House have advanced multiple impeachment proposals involving Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Rep. Shri Thanedar introduced H.Res. 935 in December 2025, Rep. Yassamin Ansari introduced H.Res. 1177 in April 2026, and Rep. Thomas Massie announced in September that he would offer a privileged resolution. The proposals allege distinct conduct involving military operations, oversight, and the handling of sensitive information; the proposals themselves do not establish those allegations. Hegseth disputed the characterization that anyone was “texting war plans,” while Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson called the April effort a charade and, after Massie read his articles on September 15, defended Hegseth’s record without addressing the specific allegations. The dispute is whether the House should impeach Hegseth on the basis of the congressional proposals and available evidence.
Source and context
Analysis
About this source
Signed opinion column. The author is identified on the page as a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, professor of law at Southwestern Law School and president emerita of the National Institute of Military Justice. The column states her own view, not the outlet’s.
Before the quotation
The column follows Hegseth’s response to a video in which Democratic lawmakers reminded service members of their duty to refuse unlawful orders.
After the quotation
She continues that Congress should not tolerate the attack on a decorated veteran and on the legislative branch. The column predates every impeachment resolution described in this case.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to whether the House should impeach Hegseth, VanLandingham states in her own voice that he should be impeached. The column is her position, not her outlet’s.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Pete Hegseth
More from this case
Read the full caseMassie says he will force the vote soon after the House returns
“I’m not sure if I would do it the night we get back, but it would be soon after we return — if he’s still in the job”Read statement
Crow calls ousting Hegseth his top priority if Democrats win the House
“Pete Hegseth remains incompetent and is not doing what's necessary to protect our service members, which is why he's my priority number one if we retake the majority, to make sure we oust him from the Pentagon, because our service members actually deserve competent, serious, real leadership that will protect them and do the right thing.”Read statement
Jeffries says Trump should push Hegseth aside or Democrats will act
“And Pete Hegseth needs to be pushed aside by the president, or we’re going to have to deal with that situation if he is not.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Law professor argues Hegseth should be impeached over threats to Sen. Kelly". First published: 2026-09-16. Last updated: 2026-09-16. https://disputeindex.com/events/672-in-a-signed-opinion-column-law-professor-and