John Oliver calls for Hegseth’s impeachment and removal

John Oliver called on Congress to impeach and remove Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during the November 8 episode of Last Week Tonight, criticizing his leadership of the Pentagon and decisions involving military operations and civilian protections. The appeal came as Republican Rep. Thomas Massie renewed an impeachment effort against Hegseth in the House.

Oliver’s segment focused on Hegseth’s personnel decisions, changes to civilian-harm safeguards and handling of overseas operations. Oliver argued that these matters showed a need for congressional action. He also called for Hegseth to be barred from future federal office, a consequence that would require a separate decision from impeachment and removal.

One focus was the February 28 strike on an elementary school in Minab, Iran. Iranian officials said more than 160 people, mostly children, were killed. A preliminary U.S. assessment indicated American forces were likely responsible, but investigators had not established that the school was deliberately targeted. Oliver linked the strike to the Pentagon’s dismantling of its Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response program, while acknowledging he could not say the program would...