U.S. Military Counter-Narcotics Operations

House Democrats, led by Rep. Yassamin Ansari, this mid-April introduced six articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of "high crimes and misdemeanors" for authorizing an attack on Iran without congressional authorization and for overseeing lethal strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats in the eastern Pacific. The articles cite a New York Times account that a March strike on a school in Iran killed at least 175 people, including children, and point to a broader period of U.S. and allied strikes that independent counts say resulted in large civilian tolls. Lawmakers also allege Hegseth mishandled classified information in a 2025 Signal group chat, withheld material facts about civilian casualties in Iran and Venezuela, retaliated against Sen. Mark Kelly, and enforced other personnel policies, including the removal of transgender service members. The Pentagon dismissed the effort as a political "charade," and with Republicans controlling both chambers the impeachment faces little chance of advancing.