Max Boot calls Hegseth the most damaging Trump appointee in a column urging his impeachment or firing
Max BootWashington Post columnist and senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations
In a Washington Post column headlined Hegseth deserves to be impeached or fired, Boot ranks Hegseth as the most damaging appointee in Trump's Cabinet. Sharing the column on Bluesky, he writes that Hegseth could be fired after the midterms and that Rep. Thomas Massie plans to reintroduce a resolution to impeach him.
“It’s been a close race, but I’ve seen enough. I’m calling it: Pete Hegseth is the most damaging Trump appointee.”
Original text
Original post
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
Original text
About this source
Washington Post opinion column by Max Boot arguing that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should be impeached or fired. Boot opens by ranking Hegseth as the most damaging of President Trump's Cabinet appointees.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Original post
About this source
Bluesky post by Max Boot sharing his Washington Post column on Pete Hegseth. He writes that Hegseth could be fired after the midterm elections and that, if he is not, Rep. Thomas Massie plans to reintroduce a resolution to impeach him.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Boot opens the column by recalling the debate over which of Trump's Cabinet picks would prove worst, naming Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Tulsi Gabbard and Hegseth.
After the quotation
In his Bluesky post sharing the column, Boot writes that the Iran war has turned into a fiasco and that, if Hegseth is not fired, Massie plans to reintroduce a resolution to impeach him.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
On whether Hegseth should be impeached, Boot's column argues that he deserves to be impeached or fired and calls him the most damaging of Trump's appointees. That supports removing him.
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More from this case
Read the full caseAdam Smith says some Republicans would back impeaching Hegseth but not Trump
“There are Republicans who would support impeaching Hegseth who might not support doing it to Trump”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. "Max Boot calls Hegseth the most damaging Trump appointee in a column urging his impeachment or firing". First published: 2026-11-03. Last updated: 2026-11-03. https://disputeindex.com/events/8071-in-a-washington-post-column-headlined-hegseth-deserves