1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to support Representative Shri Thanedar's articles of impeachment against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The charges of murder, conspiracy to murder, and reckless mishandling of classified information are grounded in serious allegations that demand accountability. On September 2, the U.S. military conducted strikes against alleged narco-boats in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean. The first strike targeted a vessel off the Venezuelan coast. What followed raises profound legal concerns: a second strike killed survivors of the initial attack. Killing people who no longer pose an imminent threat may constitute a violation of the laws of war. Lawmakers have requested unedited footage and specific orders related to these strikes to determine whether war crimes occurred. The Pentagon has refused to provide this transparency. Additionally, in March, Hegseth sent messages in a Signal group chat that included The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, sharing real-time information about American troops' movements as they prepared to strike Houthi targets in Yemen. The Pentagon's watchdog concluded last week that Hegseth risked endangering American troops by sharing this sensitive information. This breach of operational security is inexcusable for someone in his position. These actions demonstrate a pattern of reckless judgment and potential criminality that disqualifies Hegseth from leading our military. The Secretary of Defense must uphold the laws of war, protect classified information, and prioritize the safety of American service members. Hegseth has failed on all counts. I understand the political realities of a Republican-controlled Congress, but some matters transcend party loyalty. Our military's integrity and the lives of our troops depend on leadership that respects both domestic and international law. I ask you to publicly support these articles of impeachment and demand the release of unedited footage from the September 2 strikes. Accountability cannot wait for political convenience.