Republican Representative Thomas Massie has filed eight articles of impeachment against US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, setting up a vote in the House of Representatives this week over the war in Iran and other military operations.
Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, reintroduced the resolution on Monday, the first day of House sessions after the midterm elections. The resolution accuses Hegseth of “high crimes and misdemeanors” and sets off a two-day clock for a House vote. Three of the eight charges relate to waging war against Iran without congressional approval, in violation of the War Powers Resolution. The other charges cover US military operations in Yemen and Venezuela, lethal strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vessels, the protection of civilians during military operations, and alleged retaliation against a US senator.
Massie, a frequent critic of President Donald Trump who is leaving office in January, said Hegseth’s actions warranted impeachment. “The question is whether he committed impeachable acts. And the answer is yes, eight times,” he said in a post on X. He first tried to bring the resolution to the floor before the midterm elections, prompting Speaker Mike Johnson to call an early recess to avoid a vote.
Johnson opposed the new effort, saying impeachment “in the middle of hostilities abroad” would be “a terrible thing for our allies and our enemies to see.” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has signalled support for an impeachment push. Congressional sources cited by Reuters said the resolution may have the votes to pass the House even though Republicans still control it until Democrats take over on 3 January.
Trump strongly defended Hegseth in an interview with Reuters on Monday, pointing to the US military’s performance in Iran and Venezuela. “Well, he won two wars. I don’t know how you can impeach him,” Trump said. Hegseth has also promised to stay and fight, releasing a defiant video message last week and announcing a press conference for Tuesday, his first at the Pentagon since May.
If the House votes to impeach Hegseth, the matter would go to the Senate for a trial, where conviction would require a two-thirds majority. Republicans hold 53 of the Senate’s 100 seats, so conviction appears unlikely. If impeached, Hegseth would be the first civilian leader of the US military to face impeachment since William Belknap, the secretary of war, in 1876. The allegations remain contested: introducing articles of impeachment does not establish that Hegseth committed unlawful acts, and no conviction or removal has taken place.
