Washington bureau chief for The Nation.
Case
Congressional impeachment proposals against Pete Hegseth cite military operations, oversight, and Signal. Supporters say the allegations warrant removal; Hegseth disputed the description that anyone was “texting war plans,” and a Pentagon spokesperson called Ansari’s April impeachment effort a “charade.”
Role at the time: Washington bureau chief of The Nation, writing analysis
Statement summary
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.”
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.
Statement dates: December 9, 2025
Statement dates: December 9, 2025
