Republican lawmaker Thomas Massie has initiated an impeachment effort against US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The Kentucky congressman filed eight articles of impeachment on Monday, formally accusing the Pentagon chief of abusing his powers and illegally engaging in military action against Iran without the required authorization from Congress. This development arrives just days after the Republican Party faced significant losses in the midterm elections, creating a volatile atmosphere within the legislative branch. The impeachment effort has gained momentum as 150 members of Congress have expressed concerns regarding the administration's military strategy.
The articles of impeachment allege that Hegseth violated the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which mandates that the president must obtain congressional approval before committing US forces to hostilities. Additionally, the resolution includes accusations of misconduct related to military operations and civilian casualties in Yemen and Venezuela. While the Pentagon has officially rejected these allegations, the impeachment push has gained traction following the midterm results, which saw Democrats secure control of both chambers of Congress.
Although Republicans currently hold the majority in the House until the new term begins on January 3, their electoral defeat has weakened internal party discipline. Some lawmakers have indicated they may cross party lines to support the charges. Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries, poised to become speaker in January, has publicly backed the move, stating, "I'm a hard yes on the Hegseth resolution." Jeffries further criticized the defense secretary, claiming he has "undermined our national security and engineered this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran."
Massie, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump who lost his own primary to a Trump-backed challenger, is utilizing a special congressional procedure that could force the House to consider the resolution within two legislative days. While Republican leaders retain the power to block the measure through procedural votes, the possibility of a vote as early as Wednesday remains on the table. Other Republican lawmakers, such as Arkansas Representative French Hill, have expressed reservations about Hegseth’s leadership but have not yet committed to supporting impeachment, preferring to await further debate.
Even if the House passes the impeachment articles by a simple majority, removal from office remains a significant hurdle. Under the US Constitution, a conviction would require a two-thirds majority in the Senate. Hegseth has dismissed the effort as a "sham," labeling Massie as "disgruntled" and accusing his political opponents of seeking his destruction. Despite the growing pressure, President Trump has maintained his support for the defense chief, stating last week that he has "every intention to keep him." The Pentagon has scheduled a rare press briefing with Hegseth for Tuesday as the standoff continues.
