Impeach Pete Hegseth for Murdering Venezuelan Civilians

Pete Hegseth ordered a U.S. attack that killed Venezuelan civilians — and then tried to cover it up. The September 2 strike on a small boat in the Caribbean left at least 11 people dead, with survivors describing a massacre of people who posed no threat. More than 80 civilians have been killed in two dozen similar strikes under his watch.

Members of Congress who viewed classified footage said it was among the most disturbing images they had ever seen. Legal experts warn that Hegseth’s orders violated the Defense Department’s own Law of War Manual and may constitute murder. Meanwhile, his “Signalgate” scandal — leaking sensitive war plans into a casual Signal chat that included a journalist — showed reckless disregard for U.S. service members.

That’s why impeachment must begin now. Rep. Shri Thanedar has introduced articles charging Hegseth with murder, conspiracy to murder, and gross mishandling of classified information. It is the only constitutional mechanism to remove a defense secretary who has abused his power on this scale.

Every day Congress delays, Hegseth remains in command of U.S. operations — with the authority to order more deadly strikes and more secrecy. Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries must bring these articles to the floor immediately. Public pressure can force hearings, compel testimony, and ensure the truth comes out.

Families in Venezuela deserve justice. U.S. service members deserve leaders who don’t gamble with their lives. And Americans deserve a government that refuses to look the other way when civilians are slaughtered in our name.

Tell Congress: impeach Pete Hegseth now. No one who orders the killing of civilians should remain Secretary of Defense — not for one more day.

The petition to Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reads: "Bring Rep. Shri Thanedar’s articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the floor. Vote to impeach him for unlawful killings of Venezuelan civilians and reckless mishandling of classified information — and show that no one is above the law."