Flash statement from Republican Senator Cruz: 'Hegseth either resigns or Trump fires him'

Senator Cruz argued that if the articles of impeachment against Hegseth are accepted in the House of Representatives and the process goes to the Senate after January 2027, the Democrat-controlled Senate will extend it over a long period of time.

Sharing his opinion that Democrats will draw attention to the issues they oppose, such as the war with Iran under the administration of US President Donald Trump, during this process, Cruz said, "Hegseth will either resign or Trump will fire him. If these do not happen, I think it is very likely, if not certain, that the House of Representatives will impeach Hegseth. Because it seems that there are enough votes."

Cruz said he thought US billionaire Elon Musk and some of his companies would be the target of criticism, claiming that the Democrat-controlled Congress and Trump and his cabinet officials would be "targeted for impeachment" at least once.

US Republican Congressman Thomas Massie submitted 8 articles to the House of Representatives for Hegseth's dismissal.

Massie had accused Hegseth of eight counts of impeachment, including starting wars without authorization from Congress, undermining the protection of civilians and carrying out extrajudicial executions.

In the US political system, the impeachment process begins in the House of Representatives. Here, if the relevant article or articles are accepted, the main trial is held in the Senate and the decision process continues.

Accordingly, if a simple majority is achieved, the House of Representatives can accuse Hegseth of the charges made in the articles of impeachment.

In this case, the Senate, which will hold the trial on whether Hegseth is guilty or not, will consider and discuss the articles of impeachment in the sessions it will hold.

In order for Hegseth to be removed from office, a two-thirds vote of the members present in the Senate must be reached; if all 100 senators vote, this number becomes 67.

It does not seem possible to reach this number in the current Senate arithmetic against Hegseth, who has the support of Trump and the Republicans.