Cait Conley, a 16-year Army combat veteran running as the Democratic challenger to Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in New York's 17th Congressional District, said on CNN's "State of the Union" that she would support removing War Secretary Pete Hegseth from office, calling him "a hazard to American national security and a disgrace to the office." When pressed by anchor Dana Bash on whether that meant voting for impeachment, Conley confirmed she would. Lawler's campaign seized on the remarks, with campaign manager Ciro Riccardi calling Conley "extreme" and linking the comment to her refusal to disavow Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America.

Conley's comments follow House Democrats' introduction of six articles of impeachment against Hegseth earlier this year, citing his handling of the Iran conflict, strikes on alleged drug vessels, use of the Signal messaging app for military discussions, and clashes with congressional oversight. The Pentagon has dismissed the impeachment push as a political stunt, while Hegseth has accused critics of relying on "disgruntled former employees" to damage his reputation. Criticism has also come from within the Republican Party: outgoing Senator Thom Tillis recently urged President Trump to replace Hegseth after Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned amid reported tensions over military leadership changes, though the White House says Trump retains "complete trust" in Hegseth.