Happy Wednesday! Welcome back to Common Sense with Ally Sammarco. Let’s break down the latest news.
House Republicans block effort to impeach Pete Hegseth….The Republican-led House voted 211-204 to effectively kill an effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over his handling of U.S. military operations in Iran, Yemen, Venezuela and the Caribbean. The resolution, introduced by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, included eight articles of impeachment accusing Hegseth of exceeding his legal authority, violating war powers laws and overseeing unlawful military actions. Massie was the only Republican to join Democrats in keeping the effort alive. Despite criticism from some Republicans, the majority argued Hegseth’s actions did not rise to the level of impeachable offenses. President Trump praised the outcome as an “exoneration” and reaffirmed his support for Hegseth, who remains in his position.
Common Sense Takeaway: First things first, Pete Hegseth has committed impeachable offenses including extrajudicial killings, waging war without authorization, civilian casualties, and more. Second, 11 House Democrats missed this vote that would have otherwise passed. They claim it was due to “traffic” but many of them were actually at a neighboring party for Elect Democratic Women. The job should always come before the celebration, and I—like many others—have a HUGE problem with them missing this key vote.
Progressives launch push to replace Schumer and Jeffries….Despite Democrats’ sweeping victories in the midterm elections, a growing progressive movement is pushing to replace Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries before they take control of Congress. Activists, labor groups and several lawmakers argue the two leaders represent the Democratic establishment and are out of step with voters demanding a more aggressive response to Trump, corporate influence and the status quo. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Elissa Slotkin have both said they will not support Schumer for majority leader, while Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen is considering a challenge. Jeffries is also facing resistance from a handful of incoming House Democrats, though neither leader currently appears to face a serious threat to retaining their position.
Common Sense Takeaway: One thing is certain: nobody is owed any position. No matter if you have had the job for years, or it’s “your time", or somehow you are single-handedly taking credit for the victories across nation. You are not owed a leadership position. If anything became clear this election, it’s that voters want bold leaders who are not beholden to corporate interests, and unfortunately Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries don’t fit the mold. It’s time for change.
Kennedy family sues to block Trump’s proposed triumphal arch….Nine members of the Kennedy family are suing the Trump administration to stop construction of President Trump’s proposed 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery. The family argues the monument would obstruct views of President John F. Kennedy’s gravesite and Eternal Flame, cast permanent shadows over the graves of fallen service members and violate federal laws requiring congressional approval. The lawsuit adds to mounting legal challenges against the project, which has already been temporarily blocked by a federal judge following separate lawsuits from D.C. and Virginia officials and Vietnam War veterans. The White House called the latest lawsuit “unfortunate” and vowed to continue fighting for the monument, which Trump has described as a tribute to 250 years of American greatness.
Common Sense Takeaway: It’s incredulous that the arch is still a priority of Trump after an astounding loss and backlash from voters who want politicians focused on them, not themselves. But that’s Trump. It’s almost as if he’s set his mind to tarnishing John F. Kennedy (see: the Kennedy Center)—probably because he wishes he could be half as beloved as him. Sad! I hope this lawsuit succeeds.
That’s all for today’s Common Sense with Ally Sammarco. Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you tomorrow.
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— Ally
It's just as well. If Hegseth is impeached, Trump could just appoint someone else, and, since votes on appointments can't be blocked, we'd have a new loser in charge. An impeachment during the next Congress would allow the Democrats to impeach and block any new appointment. Pundits would whine, but the Republicans did this with a Supreme Court appointment, so what of it?
I agree with the comment “The job should always come before the celebration, and I—like many others—have a HUGE problem with them missing this key vote.“