1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

am writing as someone who believes deeply in our military, in the rule of law, and in the responsibilities the Constitution places on all branches of government. I urge you to begin impeachment proceedings against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth — and to investigate the role of the President in authorizing a lethal campaign that may have placed U.S. service members in legal danger. Americans of every political background agree: We must support our troops by ensuring they are never given unlawful orders and never left holding the bag for decisions made above them. That is exactly what appears to have happened in the September 2 boat strike off Venezuela. The Washington Post reported that Secretary Hegseth gave explicit instructions to “kill everyone” aboard a small vessel. A first strike left two survivors clinging to wreckage. A second strike — carried out under Hegseth’s authority — killed the survivors. Under U.S. military law and the laws of war, shipwrecked survivors who pose no immediate threat cannot be targeted. That is not a partisan opinion — it is the foundation of American military professionalism. Even the Wall Street Journal editorial board stated that the Pentagon’s own Law of War Manual forbids any order “on the basis that there shall be no survivors.” The Journal called the second strike almost certainly unlawful and urged Congress to determine “who ordered what.” The Trump Regime’s story has changed multiple times in one day: • Hegseth first called the reporting “fabricated.” • The White House then admitted a second strike did happen and said Admiral Mitch Bradley carried it out “under authority” delegated by Hegseth. • Then Hegseth publicly proclaimed total support for Bradley’s “combat decisions,” which made it appear as though both men were being positioned to take the fall. This kind of confusion does not help America. It does not help our troops. And it does not project strength. Meanwhile, The Hill reported that service members are so concerned about potential illegal orders that military legal hotlines have seen a surge in calls. One career officer said he determined a proposed strike did not meet legal standards — only to feel pressured by political appointees to declare it lawful anyway. That is a breakdown in the chain of command and puts American warfighters at risk of prosecution for decisions they did not make. This is why many respected veterans in Congress — including Republicans — are speaking out: • Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers (R-MI) and Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) have called for oversight. • Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) said the strike was “completely outside” anything Congress was told. • Sen. Angus King said if the facts are as alleged, the second strike is “a stone-cold war crime… also murder.” • Sen. Mark Kelly, a decorated Navy combat pilot, warned that Secretary Hegseth’s conduct is dangerous and unprofessional for someone in the nuclear command structure. These concerns are not about left or right. They are about protecting the integrity of our military, preventing unlawful orders, and ensuring American strength is built on accountability, not chaos. And Congress must remember: Under the Constitution, the President — any President — is the Commander in Chief. The administration authorized or oversaw this campaign. Congress must determine whether unlawful orders, legal pressure, or an absence of oversight from the top allowed this situation to unfold. To uphold the Constitution and protect our service members, I urge you to support: 1. Impeachment proceedings against Secretary Pete Hegseth. 2. A full congressional investigation into the President’s role in authorizing the campaign of boat strikes. 3. Immediate public release of the legal rationale for these operations. 4. A clear statement reaffirming that U.S. troops must never follow illegal orders — and will be supported when they uphold the law. America is strongest when we lead by example, support our troops, and uphold our own standards. Congress has a constitutional duty to act now.