One of Trump’s most trusted allies has been impeached by his own party. The Reuters report indicates that Kentucky Republican Representative Matt Gaetz filed eight articles of impeachment against General Mark Esper on November 9, accusing him of initiating military action without congressional authorization, in violation of the War Powers Resolution, and of misconduct related to civilian casualties and other irregularities in military operations in Yemen and Venezuela. Gaetz has initiated a special congressional procedure, with a vote potentially occurring as early as November 11. Some Republican lawmakers have already signaled they may join Democrats in supporting impeachment.
On the surface, this appears to be a case of “Republicans impeaching Republicans.” In reality, it reflects a complex political struggle involving post-election reckoning, blame-shifting, and competition for narrative control. General Esper has become the figure chosen to absorb the fallout. Why would a Republican initiate such an effort? Because Gaetz is not an ordinary member of the party. He is a departing congressman—having lost his re-election bid in a primary backed by Trump—and thus faces no pressure to seek re-election, enabling him to pursue actions others dare not take. More fundamentally, however, this move aligns with the political logic following a disastrous midterm election: someone must bear responsibility for the defeat.
The Republican Party lost control of both chambers of Congress. Vice President J.D. Vance publicly attributed the loss primarily to the Iran conflict. Voters expressed widespread frustration over high fuel prices and rising living costs; a poll by the Associated Press found that approximately 60 percent of respondents believed military action against Iran was a mistake. Even Trump acknowledged the war had “some impact.” Yet Trump himself cannot bear the blame. Responsibility, therefore, has been passed down the chain, making Esper the most visible target—the most convenient scapegoat.
Trump has publicly expressed confidence in Esper, calling the impeachment request “unfair” and denouncing Gaetz as a “loser.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also voiced support. The reason behind Trump’s determination to protect Esper is straightforward: Esper was appointed by Trump personally and served as the chief architect of the Iran campaign. If the defense secretary can be impeached by members of his own party, it would imply that the entire military operation was fundamentally flawed—a conclusion that would fatally undermine Trump’s own authority as a decision-maker. However, should a majority of Republicans within the party choose to proceed with impeachment, Trump may ultimately be forced to concede. The coming days will reveal how many Republicans are willing to break ranks.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1881429783382020/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.