Professor of law at Southwestern Law School, retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, and president emerita of the National Institute of Military Justice.
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: Professor of law and retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, writing an opinion column
Statement summary
In a signed opinion column, law professor and retired Air Force officer Rachel VanLandingham argued that Hegseth should be impeached over his threats to court-martial Sen. Mark Kelly. The characterisation of those threats is hers.
“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should be impeached for his abusive threats to court-martial Navy combat veteran Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., in retaliation for the senator’s participation in a video reminding service members of their extant legal duty to disobey unlawful orders.”
Relative to whether the House should impeach Hegseth, VanLandingham states in her own voice that he should be impeached. The column is her position, not her outlet’s.
Statement dates: November 26, 2025
Statement dates: November 26, 2025
