(ReliableNews.org) – While House Republicans have been investigating President Joe Biden to find evidence to impeach him. The GOP-led Lower Chamber formally began its inquiry in December 2023. The votes to open up an impeachment inquiry were along party lines, with 221 Republicans choosing to move forward and 212 Democrats voting to stop the process. But the president isn’t the only impeachment GOP members are seeking. The most recent articles were filed against the secretary of defense.
What Happened?
On January 8, Representative Matt Rosendale (R-MT) announced his intent to file articles of impeachment the next day against US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III for high crimes and misdemeanors. The Montana lawmaker contends that Austin “violated his oath of office” more than once. He claimed the secretary “compromised our national security” by allowing a Chinese spy balloon to “fly over Malstrom Air Force Base” and “lied…about his health last week.” Finally, Rosendale asserted that Austin bungled the Afghanistan withdrawal and allowed “unvetted migrants to flow into the United States.”
On January 9, the legislator dropped the promised papers. While it’s unclear if the resolution will gain any traction in the House, NBC News reported that Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) said Austin’s failure to disclose his cancer diagnosis to the public was a “stunning lack of transparency.” Still, that comment was made before Rosendale filed the impeachment articles.
Reactions and Other Inquiries
At least one lawmaker reacted strongly to Rosendale’s move against Austin after his diagnosis was revealed. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) called the filing an attempt by Rosendale to “generate publicity” for a campaign cash grab for a “potential Senate bid.” Mullin told NBC News he doesn’t “put any stock in what Rosendale does.” When asked on Fox News Radio whether now was the appropriate time to bring articles of impeachment against the defense secretary, given his current health condition, Rosendale said Austin’s health was not a factor.
Austin and Biden are just two of several officials targeted for impeachment by Republicans in the House. Others on the list include Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for his alleged dereliction of duty at the border and US Attorney General Merrick Garland if he doesn’t charge the president’s son with contempt of Congress.
Senate Republicans are reportedly unhappy with all the impeachment inquiries and threats currently taking place in the Lower Chamber. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) said there are “so many things to do,” and impeachment wasn’t intended to be used so frequently.
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