Categories: Politics

House Republican to file impeachment articles against Lloyd Austin

FIRST ON FOX: A House Republican lawmaker is introducing articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, his office told Fox News Digital on Monday.

Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., plans to target Austin on Tuesday as fallout continues over the Pentagon’s delayed disclosure about Austin being hospitalized last week.

Rosendale told Fox News Digital that he believes Austin “violated his oath of office” on multiple occasions, citing the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, the migrant crisis at the border, and last year’s incident with a Chinese spy craft floating above the continental U.S.

DOD SECOND IN COMMAND TOLD OF AUSTIN’S HOSPITALIZATION 2 DAYS AFTER TAKING OVER SOME OF HIS DUTIES

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin participates in a meeting with Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto at the Pentagon on June 23, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia. ((Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images))

“Sec. Austin knowingly put the American people in danger and compromised our national security when he allowed a spy balloon from a foreign adversary to fly over Malmstrom Air Force Base – home to ICBMs – and allowed the Chinese Communist Party to gather intel on American citizens,” the Montana Republican said. 

“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.”

DEFENSE SECRETARY AUSTIN HOSPITALIZED FOLLOWING SURGERY COMPLICATIONS

Rep. Matt Rosendale is filing impeachment articles against Austin (Getty Images)

The Pentagon publicly revealed on Friday that Austin had been in the hospital since Jan. 1 due to complications from elective surgery. But a Politico report later revealed that not only were media kept in the dark, but that the highest levels of the White House and top officials in the Pentagon itself were not aware until Thursday that Austin was in the hospital.

The non-disclosure prompted a flurry of bipartisan concern, with top Democrats and Republicans on the House and Senate Armed Services committees both calling for more transparency about the incident.

PENTAGON ANNOUNCES NEW RED SEA INTERNATIONAL MISSION TO COUNTER ESCALATING HOUTHI ATTACKS ON SHIPS

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin hosts an observance ceremony at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in honor of the 184 people killed in the 2001 terrorist attack on the Pentagon,  on Monday, Sept. 11.  (AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Rosendale’s Monday evening statement went beyond the health scandal, arguing Austin “failed to uphold his oath of office during the Biden Administration’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan which led to the death of 13 American soldiers and enabled unvetted migrants to flow into the United States.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“Sec. Austin is unfit for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, which is why I urge my colleagues to join me in impeaching him to protect the American people,” he said.

A litany of top Republicans have called for Austin to be fired over how the disclosure of his hospitalization was handled.

Fox News’ Liz Friden contributed to this report

Share

Recent Posts

Iran remembers Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as a ‘martyr’ and ‘model for the youth and children’

close Video Former ambassador says Israel at war for its 'national survival' Former Israeli Ambassador…

45 mins ago

Pentagon answers question of whether UFOs and aliens have visited Earth

close Video Former intel official on government UFO program: We are ‘well beyond reasonable doubt’…

55 mins ago

Honduran illegal immigrant deported from US twice, sentenced for leading Texas burglary ring: ‘Masterminded’

close Video Trump sends message to illegal immigrants: 'Get ready to leave' Fox News' Bill…

55 mins ago

Alyssa Lokits case: Man accused of savagely murdering woman on Nashville trail makes first court appearance

close Video Nashville police arrest person of interest in Mill Creek Greenway murder Less than…

55 mins ago

LAPD seizes $4M in fentanyl, enough dosage to potentially kill entire population of Los Angeles

close Video Mom of fentanyl poisoning victim: Trump-Vance ticket is 'only answer' to opioid crisis…

3 hours ago

California man tortured girlfriend, tattooed ‘degrading words’ on her chest before killing her

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for October 17 Fox News Flash top headlines…

3 hours ago