Adam Smith says some Republicans would back impeaching Hegseth but not Trump
Adam SmithU.S. representative for Washington's 9th District and ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, interviewed by TIME
Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, tells TIME he now supports impeaching President Trump and is inclined to back proceedings against Hegseth. He says some Republicans who would not vote to impeach Trump would support impeaching Hegseth.
“There are Republicans who would support impeaching Hegseth who might not support doing it to Trump”
Interview
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
Interview
About this source
TIME report, based on interviews with more than two dozen Democrats, on whether a Democratic House would pursue impeachment. Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, tells TIME he now supports impeaching President Trump and is inclined to back proceedings against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The article also quotes Jamie Raskin, Adam Schiff and Jason Crow.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
TIME reports that in May Smith declined to commit to impeaching Trump, warning that every impeachment he had seen left its target stronger. He says Trump's approach to Russia and Ukraine and his recent speeches have changed his mind.
After the quotation
TIME notes that removing Hegseth would still take a two-thirds vote in the Senate. Rep. Jamie Raskin tells TIME that impeaching a Cabinet officer would take up less of Congress's agenda than impeaching the president.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
On whether the House should impeach Hegseth, TIME reports that Smith is inclined to back proceedings against him, and Smith argues that an impeachment of Hegseth could win Republican votes. He leans toward impeachment without a firm commitment.
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More from this case
Read the full caseMax Boot calls Hegseth the most damaging Trump appointee in a column urging his impeachment or firing
“It’s been a close race, but I’ve seen enough. I’m calling it: Pete Hegseth is the most damaging Trump appointee.”Read statement
Trump warns Democrats against impeaching Hegseth and calls him a great warrior
“I think it’s terrible ... All they do is they talk about impeaching everybody. ... I mean, honestly, if we wanted to play that game, we could play it just as well ... But they’re talking about Pete Hegseth. He’s doing a great job. He’s a great warrior. I think he’s the best at his job in many, many years, and a lot of people agree with him.”Read statement
Massie 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
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The Dispute Index. "Adam Smith says some Republicans would back impeaching Hegseth but not Trump". First published: 2026-11-03. Last updated: 2026-11-03. https://disputeindex.com/events/8069-smith-the-top-democrat-on-the-house-armed