In a surprising turn of events, House Republican lawmaker Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., has announced his plans to introduce articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The move comes as fallout continues over the Pentagon’s delayed disclosure about Austin’s recent hospitalization, which has raised concerns among both Democrats and Republicans.
The controversy began when it was revealed that Austin had been in the hospital since Jan. 1 due to complications from elective surgery. However, not only were the media kept in the dark, but the highest levels of the White House and top officials in the Pentagon itself were also unaware of Austin’s hospitalization until Thursday.
Rosendale argues that Austin “violated his oath of office” on multiple occasions, citing the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, the migrant crisis at the border, and an incident last year involving a Chinese spy craft floating above the continental U.S. According to Rosendale, Austin knowingly put the American people in danger and compromised national security during these events.
“This dishonesty seems to be a repeated pattern for the Secretary as he once again lied to our military and the American people about his health last week,” Rosendale stated. He further criticized Austin for failing to uphold his oath of office during the “disastrous” withdrawal from Afghanistan, which resulted in the death of 13 American soldiers and the influx of unvetted migrants into the United States.
The call for impeachment has gained support from other top Republicans who have expressed their dissatisfaction with how the disclosure of Austin’s hospitalization was handled. These Republicans believe that Austin is unfit for the Office of the Secretary of Defense and have called for his removal.
The controversy surrounding Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has sparked bipartisan concern, with both Democrats and Republicans on the House and Senate Armed Services committees calling for more transparency about the incident. The introduction of articles of impeachment by a House Republican lawmaker adds another layer of complexity to the situation.
It remains to be seen how this impeachment attempt will unfold and whether it will gain enough support from Rosendale’s colleagues. As the political landscape continues to shift, the fate of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hangs in the balance.
