Hard-line House Republican Matt Rosendale of Montana announced on Monday his intention to introduce an impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
This move stems from Austin’s failure to promptly inform the White House and Congress about his hospitalization for several days, as well as concerns related to the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan and the incident involving a Chinese spy balloon in the previous year.
Rosendale, set to introduce the impeachment article during the House meeting on Tuesday afternoon, asserted that Austin’s decision not to disclose his stay at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, D.C., “violated his oath of office” and “jeopardized the lives of the American people,” as per a statement from Rosendale’s office.
During an interview with The Vince Coglianese Show earlier on Monday, Rosendale did not disclose the co-sponsors of his action, stating that his team was still assembling the details. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, expressing concern about the Secretary of Defense being “MIA” and its potential impact on various threats and conflicts worldwide.
Rosendale, who is considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Jon Tester, criticized Austin and the Biden administration for not promptly disclosing the Defense Secretary’s hospitalization in December. The lack of notification to President Biden and other top officials until Thursday, with Congress being informed late Friday afternoon, has raised questions.
Rosendale is not the sole House Republican calling for Austin’s removal. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), chair of the House Republican Conference, previously urged Austin to resign, citing concerns that his unnotified absence undermines trust in the chain of command during a period of multiple global conflicts involving the U.S.
