The Republican congressman is accusing Lloyd Austin of violating his oath of office on multiple occasions
Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., introduced articles of impeachment against Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Monday following Austin’s failing to disclose a four day hospital stay to the public and White House officials.
Rosendale is targeting Austin over the hospitalization controversy, though he also mentions the Chinese spy balloon spotted in North American airspace earlier this year as an example of the defense chief compromising “national security.”
He also accused Austin of lying about the incident and said he violated his oath of office on multiple occasions.
“This dishonesty seems to be a repeated pattern for the Secretary as he once again lied to our military and the American people about his health last week,” Rosendale said in a statement.
Austin released a statement vowing to be better at transparency following his hospitalization being revealed.
Rosendale also cites the “disastrous” withdrawal from Afghanistan as a reason to impeach Austin. The exit included billions in equipment being left behind and 13 American troops being killed.
“Sec. Austin is unfit for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, which is why I urge my colleagues to join me in impeaching him to protect the American people,” the congressman said.
