Nation columnist argues impeachment is the fitting remedy for Hegseth
Chris LehmannWashington bureau chief of The Nation, writing analysis
Writing the day H.Res. 935 was introduced, Chris Lehmann argued that impeachment was the most appropriate remedy available and that an impeachment inquiry would be a meaningful first step. The underlying allegations he describes are unadjudicated.
“It’s hard to think of a case where impeachment would be a more appropriate remedy. After all, if murder doesn’t qualify as a “high crime and misdemeanor,” what does? And an impeachment inquiry, closely targeted on documenting criminal charges, would be an encouraging first step in holding Hegseth accountable for his conduct in an actually meaningful way.”
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 analysis column by The Nation’s Washington bureau chief, published the day Rep. Thanedar introduced H.Res. 935. It states the author’s own view, not an institutional position of the magazine.
Before the quotation
The column notes that Democratic lawmakers had largely balked at a motion to impeach Hegseth.
After the quotation
He goes on to fault House Democratic leadership for treating impeachment as politically risky.
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, Lehmann endorses impeachment as the appropriate course in his own voice. The column states his position, not an institutional position of the magazine.
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- People and groups discussed
- Pete Hegseth
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The Dispute Index. "Nation columnist argues impeachment is the fitting remedy for Hegseth". First published: 2026-09-16. Last updated: 2026-09-16. https://disputeindex.com/events/673-writing-the-day-h-res-935-was-introduced