Democrats are preparing a sweeping investigation of Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth if they win control of the House in the 2026 midterms, according to party officials and congressional aides, as the party closes its campaign with a door-to-door get-out-the-vote drive aimed at turning out supporters in battleground districts.
The planned investigation would focus on Hegseth’s handling of the Pentagon, including his use of Signal to discuss military operations, his management of senior staff and his role in strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean. Democrats say the inquiry would be a top priority for the House Armed Services and Oversight committees if they take the majority on Tuesday.
What Democrats plan to investigate
Democratic aides say the investigation would begin with document requests and hearings in early 2027, focusing on whether Hegseth mishandled classified information, retaliated against whistleblowers and misled Congress about military operations. The inquiry could also examine Hegseth’s relationship with the White House and his role in decisions to strike boats that the administration said were carrying drugs.
Hegseth has denied wrongdoing and has said he will not resign. The Pentagon said in a statement on Sunday that Hegseth “will not resign” and that he has the full confidence of President Donald Trump. The statement came after days of speculation about Hegseth’s future, fuelled by reports of internal dissent at the Pentagon.
Democrats say the Pentagon’s statement does not settle the matter. They say Congress has a duty to oversee the Defence Department, regardless of who is in charge, and that Hegseth’s conduct warrants scrutiny.
The door-to-door GOTV drive
As Democrats prepare for a possible majority, they are also running a final get-out-the-vote drive that relies heavily on door-to-door canvassing. Party officials say volunteers have knocked on millions of doors in the final weeks, focusing on districts where turnout could decide control of the House.
The drive is part of a broader Democratic strategy to turn out voters who are less likely to vote in midterms, including young voters, voters of colour and voters in suburban districts. Democrats say the door-to-door effort is more effective than television advertising in the final days, because it allows volunteers to answer questions and help voters make a plan to vote.
Republicans are also running a GOTV drive, but Democratic officials say their effort is larger and more organised, thanks to investments in field operations made earlier in the cycle.
Hegseth and the impeachment question
Some Democrats have gone further than an investigation, calling for Hegseth’s impeachment. Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican, has also said he would support an impeachment vote, though for different reasons. Massie has criticised Hegseth’s handling of the Pentagon and has said Congress should hold him accountable.
Democratic leaders have not committed to impeachment, saying they want to conduct an investigation first. They say impeachment would be a last resort, not a first step, and that they need to gather evidence before making a decision.
Republicans say the planned investigation is a political stunt, designed to embarrass Trump and Hegseth rather than to improve the Pentagon. They say Democrats are already planning to use a House majority for partisan investigations, rather than for legislation.
What a Democratic House would mean
If Democrats win the House, they would gain subpoena power and the ability to hold hearings, request documents and call witnesses. That would give them a powerful tool to investigate the Trump administration, including Hegseth and other senior officials.
Democrats say they would use that power responsibly, focusing on oversight rather than revenge. Republicans say they would use it for partisan purposes, as they did when they controlled the House in Trump’s first term.
The outcome of the midterms will determine whether Democrats get that chance. Polls show Democrats favoured to win the House, but the margin is narrow, and Republicans say they can still hold the majority if turnout favours their supporters.
What happens next
On Tuesday, voters will decide control of the House, and with it, whether Democrats can launch their planned investigation of Hegseth. If Democrats win, the investigation is likely to begin within weeks of the new Congress taking office in January.
If Republicans hold the House, Hegseth is likely to remain in place, and Democrats will have to pursue oversight through other means, including the Senate, if they win that chamber, or through public pressure.
For now, both parties are focused on turnout. Democrats say their door-to-door drive will make the difference in close districts. Republicans say their supporters will turn out in force to protect the majority. The result will be clear on Tuesday night, or in the days after, as votes are counted.
For readers following the campaign, USN’s coverage of Congress returns November 9 after shutdown and 2026 midterm elections outlook: Democrats favoured to flip House as Trump approval falls to 39 percent in new polls provides additional context for this story.
Sources
USN reviewed reporting from multiple outlets for this story. Read more from Politico, The Washington Post, and The Hill.