Robert Reich says Democrats should impeach Hegseth if Trump won’t fire him
Former U.S. Secretary of Labor and public-policy professor, writing in his own Substack newsletter
“Pete Hegseth is the most incompetent person in the Trump regime — with the exception of Trump himself — and a clear and present danger to the security of the United States and the world. If Trump won’t fire him, Democrats should impeach him when (hopefully) they take over the House next January, and two-thirds of the Senate should convict him.”
Source and context
Analysis
About this source
Opinion post on Robert Reich’s own Substack newsletter, subtitled “If Trump won’t fire him, Congress must impeach him.” Published September 3, 2026, twelve days before Rep. Massie’s notice of intent. The post’s factual assertions about Hegseth’s tenure, including Dan Driscoll’s resignation and Iran war claims, are the author’s and are not verified by this record; it is cited here for the author’s stated position on impeachment.
Before the quotation
The post catalogues Reich’s criticisms of Hegseth’s tenure, including Dan Driscoll’s resignation as Army Secretary, the Signal messages, and John Ullyot’s “total chaos” remark. The preceding paragraph says Hegseth “dismisses war crimes, pooh-poohs the rules of engagement, and projects unequivocal belligerence.” These are the author’s characterizations, not findings of this record.
After the quotation
This is the post’s closing paragraph; reader comments follow. The post was published on September 3, 2026, before Rep. Massie’s September 15 notice of intent, and does not address any specific impeachment article.
How this statement is classified
Case context: Should Pete Hegseth be impeached?
The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to whether the House should impeach Hegseth, Reich expressly calls for impeachment and conviction. The timing he proposes, after Democrats take the House, conditions who acts and when rather than whether removal is warranted, so this is a clear condemnation rather than a mixed or conditional position. The post predates the Massie resolution and does not address any specific article.
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- Published here
Should Pete Hegseth be impeached?
Explore the case context, sources and public responses.
More from this case
Read the full case“Massie deserves credit for forcing Congress to confront a question too many lawmakers would rather leave blurry. America shouldn't drift into permanent war simply because presidents of either party find congressional approval inconvenient. But a serious constitutional dispute deserves the correct opponent. Massie found the fight. But like an idiot, he aimed at the wrong man.”Read statement
Free Speech For People
“In supporting Trump’s constitutional violations and actively participating in, or even initiating, the actions noted above, Hegseth has failed to faithfully discharge the duties of his office. Further, Hegseth participated in multiple unauthorized, unsecured communications on Signal with individuals who are not government employees, jeopardizing national security and demonstrating a dangerous lack of judgment. He must be held accountable for his actions.”Read statement
MoveOn
“Hegseth has shown he cannot be trusted with the power of this office and this position. Impeachment and aggressive oversight are necessary steps to stop further abuses.”Read statement