House Impeachment: Retiring Nebraska Rep. Signals Split Over Hegseth Bid

Rep. Don Bacon said on Monday that he is conflicted about the ongoing effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The centrist Republican from Nebraska, who is retiring from Congress, described the intra-party conflict as an unusual dynamic within the chamber. Bacon has previously criticized President Trump on foreign policy and other matters, positioning himself as a moderate voice in his party.

In a video interview with CNN’s Manu Raju that was shared on X, Bacon stated that the areas he finds most concerning are missing from the current articles of impeachment. He identified the firing and redlisting of eighty generals and admirals as a primary issue. He also cited the withholding of appropriated funds for Ukraine throughout the year as a key factor weighing on his decision.

Bacon noted that several colleagues share his discomfort with the current approach. He observed that Rep. Thomas Massie brings a distinct libertarian spirit to his written arguments. This perspective has led some lawmakers to deliberate internally about the justifications presented in the text.

When asked directly about his position, Bacon admitted he is torn. He indicated that he would be more inclined to support articles that address the specific reasons for his unease with Hegseth. He also stated that he would support the defense secretary resigning from his post.

Procedural steps began on Monday when Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, read the articles aloud on the House floor shortly after 2 p.m. This action followed through on his promise to bring the impeachment bid. The move marks a development in the conflict over the administration’s handling of the Department of Defense.

Hegseth responded earlier on Monday by saying he was not worried about the effort. He announced that he would hold a press conference the following morning to address the matter with the media and the public. His confident stance contrasts with the visible uncertainty among some Republican lawmakers.

The impeachment effort unfolds after Republicans suffered defeats in the midterm elections held last week. These results altered the balance of power in Congress and intensified scrutiny on party leadership. Over the weekend, President Trump voiced worry about Democrats pushing for the impeachment of Republican officials. He characterized these threats as extortion at the highest level and requested that the Justice Department investigate. In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, the president wrote that Democrats admitted to having no reason to pursue the process.