Why a Top House Democrat Now Supports Impeaching Trump and Hegseth

Representative Adam Smith of Washington, the senior Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, now backs impeaching President Donald Trump and leans toward doing the same to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The shift matters because Smith would likely chair that committee if Democrats win the House in Tuesday's midterms, giving him oversight of the Pentagon's Iran war, Ukraine policy and Latin American operations, according to Time.

Smith, in Congress since 1996, had told TIME in May that he was wary, since in his experience each impeached figure emerged stronger. He now points to Trump's warming stance toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, the halt in support for Ukraine, and erratic speeches, including comments on gasoline prices. He says the public is more receptive than before and that the offenses have long been plain. Even if it fails, he argues, Democrats should try.

Others in the party are less sure. Interviews with more than two dozen Democrats show broad agreement that Trump's conduct merits impeachment but sharp disagreement over whether pursuing it is wise. Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland says he has little doubt of multiple impeachable offenses, yet stresses that proving them and choosing to impeach are separate questions.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Time’s reporting. Read the full story at Time →