Iranian American Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ) on Monday said she is calling for the 25th Amendment and is introducing articles of impeachment against War Secretary Pete Hegseth due to the war in Iran.
Ansari’s move comes as President Donald Trump’s 8 p.m. Tuesday night deadline for Iran to agree to a peace deal. If one is not reached, the president promised the complete destruction of Iran’s power plants and bridges.
“Trump is escalating a devastating, illegal war, threatening massive war crimes and targeting civilian infrastructure in Iran,” Ansari said. “In the last 48 hours alone, the rhetoric has crossed every line. Pete Hegseth is complicit.”
The move comes as tensions in Iran intensify and the Trump administration signals a willingness to dramatically expand military action. Trump issued a deadline for Iran to agree to a peace deal and open the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday night, warning of possible large-scale strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure if the demand is not met, despite criticism that such attacks would amount to a war crime.
Hegseth has overseen an intensified air campaign, part of a border U.S. military effort that many Democrats in Congress have continued to deem illegal.
Ansari, the first Iranian American Democrat elected to Congress, has been a vocal opponent of the war, calling it reckless and warning of its impact on civilians and regional stability. Her impeachment push marks the latest effort by Democrats to challenge the Trump administration over the conflict.
The articles are expected to accuse Hegseth of breaching constitutional limits on executive war powers and endangering U.S. service members through the conduct of military operations.
Ansari has also called for the Cabinet to consider invoking the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office, citing concerns about his rhetoric and decision-making during the conflict.
TRUMP SAYS IRAN HAS ’48 HOURS BEFORE ALL HELL WILL REIGN DOWN ON THEM’ OVER HORMUZ BLOCKADE
The impeachment effort is unlikely to succeed as Republicans control both chambers of Congress. Still, the move underscores mounting Democratic opposition to the administration’s handling of the war.
The conflict, which began in late February, has already killed at least 13 U.S. service members and resulted in retaliatory attacks from Tehran, including closing the Strait of Hormuz. Lawmakers from both parties have debated the scope of presidential war powers, though Republicans have largely backed the administration’s approach.