WASHINGTON (November 10, 2026) — Secretary Pete Hegseth was patently unfit to lead the U.S. Department of Defense in the first place, and his words and actions over the last 22 months have only served to cement our concerns that his actions would leave the United States and the world much less safe. Joining a growing chorus of good governance organizations, including Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington and the Project on Government Oversight, the Union of Concerned Scientists believes that Congress should impeach and remove Secretary Hegseth from his position atop the Defense Department.
“Last week’s election was a clear referendum on the direction of the country, with voters telling our leaders to prioritize accountability and affordability and push back on corruption and corporate interests, the costly failed war in Iran, and the many destructive actions of the Trump administration,” said Dr. Tara Drozdenko, director of the Global Security Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). “Congress should heed the message it received from people across the country and vigorously exercise long-needed oversight. This is a core and necessary function of Congress, and it can begin by holding Secretary Hegseth and the Pentagon accountable.”
Secretary Hegseth led the Trump administration’s illegal foray into Venezuela and kidnapping of a foreign head of state, conducted the illegal war of aggression against Iran, discounted the laws of war, acted in violation of the War Powers Resolution, and has been accused of taking other harmful actions that have upset international norms and increased global security risks.
“The United States needs a new, qualified leader for the Defense Department, one who respects the rule of domestic and international law,” said Dr. Drozdenko. “Being equipped to manage the enormous Pentagon bureaucracy is a necessary skill for leading the Defense Department, as is being able to reduce its budget bloat, pass an audit, and provide restrained counsel to the administration.”
Many of Secretary Hegseth's damaging actions and policy changes will have lasting repercussions and present challenges that the next secretary of defense will need to grapple with. These include his efforts to recklessly accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence into the military with limited guardrails and no clear accountability mechanisms for intelligence mistakes that result in unnecessary loss of civilian life.