1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

As a citizen dedicated to the rule of law, I urge you to initiate impeachment proceedings against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth regarding his leadership in the September 2 boat strike off the coast of Venezuela. Credible reporting indicates Secretary Hegseth issued instructions to “kill everyone,” resulting in a second strike that killed two survivors clinging to wreckage. Under U.S. military law and the laws of war, targeting shipwrecked survivors who pose no threat is illegal. Even the Wall Street Journal editorial board noted that the Pentagon’s Law of War Manual explicitly forbids orders based on “no survivors,” calling the second strike likely unlawful. The administration’s response has been inconsistent, shifting from denial to admitting the strike occurred under Hegseth’s delegated authority. This confusion necessitates a genuine investigation into military command structures. Furthermore, veterans and congressional leaders from both parties—including Rep. Mike Rogers, Sen. Roger Wicker, and Rep. Mike Turner—have expressed grave concerns, with Sen. Angus King describing the allegations as potential “stone-cold war crimes.” To uphold the Constitution and protect our service members, I request you support: - Impeachment proceedings against Secretary Hegseth. - A full investigation into the administration's authorization of these strikes. - Public release of the legal rationale for these operations. - Reaffirmation that U.S. troops must not follow illegal orders. Congress has a constitutional duty to ensure accountability and adherence to the law. Please act now.