Massie Files Impeachment Articles Against Hegseth

Rep. Thomas Massie has reintroduced articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, triggering a vote in the House of Representatives within the next 48 hours. The resolution formally accuses the secretary of high crimes and misdemeanors, listing eight specific charges that span military operations and domestic policy disputes.

Massie first attempted to bring this resolution to the floor before the midterm elections. Speaker Mike Johnson called an early recess to avoid the vote, causing the original resolution to expire. Massie reintroduced the text on Monday to revive the process. The new articles detail three charges for illegally waging war against Iran in violation of the War Powers Resolution. One charge covers the illegal waging of war against Yemen under the same resolution.

The remaining charges address other executive actions. One charge cites the oversight of extrajudicial killings in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean via strikes on alleged drug boats. Another charge involves the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro without congressional authorization. The resolution also includes a charge for ignoring laws designed to minimize civilian casualties. A final charge addresses the suppression of free speech, linked to efforts to punish Sen. Mark Kelly for a video encouraging service members to refuse illegal orders.

Hegseth responded to the filing in a video released the previous Thursday. He dismissed the effort as sham articles of impeachment and stated that the strategy had not worked against President Trump and would not work against him. Massie addressed Hegseth's earlier characterization of him as a disgruntled defeated congressman during a press conference on Monday. He acknowledged being a defeated congressman but denied being disgruntled, describing impeachment as a mechanism for firing someone rather than a criminal prosecution.

Massie argued that the effort forces a legal examination of whether Congress retains genuine war powers. He noted that presidents of both parties have largely ignored the War Powers Resolution. He identified the core issue as the balance of power between the executive branch and Congress. The resolution seeks to clarify this constitutional tension through the impeachment process.

Presumptive next House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries has signaled support for the impeachment push. Some Republican members who oppose the move have suggested the administration should better communicate its strategy for the Iran war. Rep. Warren Davidson told NPR that impeaching Hegseth would be hypocritical given historical precedent. He described the effort as status quo politics and suggested lawmakers use the power of the purse to withhold funding instead.

Davidson said, "I think trying to scapegoat Pete Hegseth is just the status quo politics in Washington. I think it would be a mistake to impeach." He advised legislators to focus on budgetary controls. The House vote is scheduled for the next two days. Democratic support, combined with Massie and a small number of Republicans, could provide sufficient votes for impeachment in the House. However, the measure faces a high hurdle in the Senate, where conviction and removal require a two-thirds majority.

The outcome of the House vote will determine whether the articles proceed to the Senate. The process highlights the ongoing debate over executive authority in military engagements. The resolution remains pending until the scheduled floor vote.