Rep. Massie introduces impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Representative Thomas Massie has introduced eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, alleging he illegally waged war in Iran without congressional approval. The move uses a special procedure that could force a House vote as early as Wednesday.

The articles filed on Monday by the Kentucky Republican accuse Hegseth of abusing his power and violating the 1973 War Powers Resolution. Massie, a critic of President Donald Trump who recently lost his primary, argued on the House floor that the Pentagon chief executed unlawful orders and committed high crimes and misdemeanors, according to reports from The Guardian and France 24.

President Trump defended the Defense Secretary at the White House, asserting that Hegseth has done a "good job" and "won" wars in both Iran and Venezuela. Hegseth himself dismissed the impeachment effort as "noise" and "the politics of personal destruction," though he plans to hold a press conference Tuesday to defend the military's actions as necessary.

The push for impeachment follows Republican losses in recent midterm elections, which party leaders have attributed to the unpopularity of the war in Iran. While Republicans still hold the House majority until January, Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries told ABC News he is a "hard yes" on the resolution, stating that Hegseth "has got to go."

If the measure passes the House by a simple majority, it would proceed to a Senate trial. However, removal from office requires a two-thirds majority in the Senate, which France 24 noted is a significant hurdle even after Democrats take control of that chamber in January. Meanwhile, watchdogs Common Cause and CREW have alleged Hegseth violated the Hatch Act by using government resources for a political video response.

Background

Representative Massie first introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth on September 15. That effort was stalled when House Speaker Mike Johnson called a congressional recess before the resolution could be considered.