Two Democratic lawmakers from Michigan have filed articles of impeachment against two of the most controversial figures in Donald Trump’s current Cabinet: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
While the filings are unlikely to gain traction in the Republican-controlled House, they mark an escalation in Democratic messaging heading into the 2026 election season.
Representative Haley Stevens, who is currently running for an open U.S. Senate seat in Michigan, officially introduced an article of impeachment on Wednesday against HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Her announcement follows months of public outcry over Kennedy’s leadership and controversial remarks.
“It’s a public health and safety issue,” Stevens told NBC News. “When I have Michiganders who have daughters or sons going through clinical cancer research trials that are stopped in the middle because of RFK… this is a safety issue.”
Stevens has accused Kennedy of slashing critical medical research programs, driving up healthcare costs, and endangering lives with misinformation. Her filing came after repeated calls from pro-science advocacy groups who claim Kennedy’s 10-month tenure has already caused irreparable damage.
“I’m a very serious lawmaker,” Stevens added. “But I’m not going to sit quietly by while people’s health and safety and lives are on the line.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services dismissed the move as political grandstanding.
“Secretary Kennedy remains focused on improving Americans’ health and lowering costs, not on partisan theatrics designed to elevate standing in a failing, third-rate Senate bid,” said HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon.
In a video posted Wednesday, Stevens stated: “RFK Jr. has got to go.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Shri Thanedar, also from Michigan, filed impeachment articles this week against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, citing “murder and conspiracy to murder” and reckless handling of classified information.
The charges stem from an explosive news report that Hegseth allegedly gave a “kill them all” order targeting a small vessel in the Caribbean suspected of drug smuggling. The White House has firmly denied any wrongdoing.
Hegseth has also faced scrutiny for his role in a controversial March incident dubbed “Signal Gate,” in which he reportedly shared troop movement updates in a private group chat, allegedly including journalists, just hours before a U.S. strike on Houthi forces in Yemen.
Thanedar, who has previously introduced impeachment articles against Trump himself, is facing a tough primary fight and is backed by several progressive organizations.
Both Stevens and Thanedar are engaged in highly competitive Democratic primaries. Stevens is vying to replace retiring Senator Gary Peters, facing notable opponents like State Senator Mallory McMorrow and former Detroit health commissioner Abdul El-Sayed. Thanedar is being challenged by a Justice Democrats-backed progressive in his House race.
While these impeachment efforts stand virtually no chance of advancing with Republicans holding the House majority, they serve to energize progressive voters and highlight serious concerns about the current administration’s leadership.
Texas Rep. Al Green, a longtime progressive and Trump critic, has also stated plans to file new articles of impeachment against the president, further fueling what may become an impeachment-heavy campaign cycle.
