So, braveheart and newly primaried but instant ball-growing Thomas Massie introduced articles of impeachment against the Secretary of WhattheFuck to the House under the “privileged resolutions” provision (which means the Speaker has no control). Well, good for him, I guess. It’s a pity that provision completely sucks. Under that system a vote must be taken by the House within 48 hours. Does anyone seriously think that’s appropriate for something as serious as an article of impeachment? I sure as fuck don’t, even if it’s an arsehole like Hegseth.

Putting aside questions of that political process and also of whether there was any realistic prospect of Hegseth being convicted by the Senate (that would be zero), the question remains as to the political sagacity of such a move. Let’s say, just for the hell of it, Hegseth was impeached and that within an unusually short timeframe was convicted and removed. What then? What would that actually achieve?

Trump would still have time to nominate an equally unfit and pathetic person to that position, and a debatably still largely obsequious GOP controlled Senate would appoint such a person. So, what’s gained by that? There would be no automatic basis upon which to move against them.

If we/you wait till January, you can comfortably and easily impeach and remove Hegseth, potentially even prosecute him criminally, and with a Democratic controlled Senate stop any and every absurd nomination from Trump. How is that not the obviously superior political dynamic?

I’m not American. I may be characterising some of these dynamics incorrectly. If so, I welcome your corrections ….