Hillary Clinton, former First Lady, U.S. Senator, and Secretary of State, recently expressed a nuanced position regarding accountability for President Donald Trump's administration. Speaking during a podcast interview with journalist Kara Swisher on Wednesday, Clinton indicated she does not support the impeachment of President Trump himself. However, she advocates for opening impeachment investigations into appointed officials within his administration. The conversation, released on Wednesday, also streams on YouTube.
"You know, people like Pete Hegseth—who I think is hollowing out our military, politicizing our military, you know, turning it into a militia for his Christian national ambitions—I think he needs to be held accountable." Hillary Clinton, Former Secretary of State
Clinton clarified her rationale for not pursuing impeachment against President Trump, stating, "You know, I am against impeaching Donald Trump because I think it’s a sideshow and he can’t get convicted." This perspective marks a notable departure from her earlier public statements. During President Trump's first term, when the House of Representatives voted to impeach him twice, Clinton publicly supported those efforts. In December 2019, the House approved articles of impeachment for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. A second set of charges, for incitement of insurrection, was approved in January 2021. The Senate, however, acquitted President Trump on both occasions. Clinton had previously argued for his removal from office, including in an op-ed where she wrote, "Removing Trump from office is essential, and I believe he should be impeached."
Shifting her focus, Clinton specifically named Pete Hegseth, who serves as the Department of War chief, as an official warranting investigation. Hegseth's Senate confirmation occurred in January 2025, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tiebreaking vote. Prior to joining the administration, Hegseth hosted a weekend show on Fox News and served in the Army National Guard. Clinton leveled serious accusations against Hegseth, stating, "You know, people like Pete Hegseth—who I think is hollowing out our military, politicizing our military, you know, turning it into a militia for his Christian national ambitions—I think he needs to be held accountable." These remarks highlight concerns about the integrity and neutrality of the nation's military institutions under Hegseth's leadership.
Beyond Hegseth, Clinton suggested that "smart, disciplined investigations" should extend across the administration. She outlined the scope of these potential probes, suggesting they should examine "where the money is coming from, who is receiving it, and what are they getting in return." Clinton succinctly summarized this investigative approach for the administration as a whole with the directive: "follow the money." This strategy implies a focus on financial flows and potential quid pro quo arrangements within the executive branch.
Clinton's long career in Democratic politics includes serving as First Lady during President Bill Clinton’s tenure, representing New York in the U.S. Senate, and holding the position of Secretary of State under President Barack Obama. She was also the Democratic nominee for president in 2016, ultimately losing to President Trump. Her recent comments on the podcast encapsulate three key positions: her opposition to impeaching President Trump, her support for investigations into appointed officials like Hegseth, and her emphasis on financial scrutiny as a primary investigative tool. These statements underscore ongoing discussions about executive accountability and the separation of powers within the U.S. government, particularly concerning high-ranking appointed officials. The call for "disciplined investigations" suggests a desire for methodical scrutiny over broad political maneuvers.
