Massie reintroduces impeachment articles against Hegseth

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., filed new articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday. The resolution accuses the secretary of high crimes and misdemeanors and lists eight specific charges. A vote on the measure is expected in the House of Representatives within the next two days.

The document cites three charges for illegally waging war against Iran in violation of the War Powers Resolution. It also includes one charge for ignoring laws designed to minimize civilian casualties. One charge covers the oversight of extrajudicial killings in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean during strikes on alleged drug boats. The resolution further alleges the suppression of free speech related to Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., who told service members they could refuse illegal orders. It also charges Hegseth with the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro without congressional authorization and with illegally waging war against Yemen.

Hegseth released a video last Thursday to defend his record at the Pentagon. He dismissed Massie's effort as sham articles of impeachment. Hegseth stated that the process did not work against President Trump and would not work with him.

Massie, a longtime critic of Hegseth, responded to Hegseth calling him a disgruntled defeated congressman on Monday. Massie told reporters that he is a defeated congressman but not disgruntled. He described impeachment as a process of firing someone rather than sending them to prison. Massie said the effort highlights the need to litigate whether Congress holds real war powers.

Massie first sought to bring this resolution to the floor before the midterm elections. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., called an early recess to avoid the vote, causing the original resolution to expire. Massie reintroduced the text on Monday to restart the process.

Presumptive next House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., has signaled support for the impeachment push. Some Republican members who oppose the move said the administration could better explain its plan for the Iran war. Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio., told NPR that impeaching Hegseth would be hypocritical given past administrations. Davidson suggested lawmakers use the power of the purse to withhold money from the conflict instead.

The House may have sufficient votes to impeach Hegseth with support from Democrats, Massie, and a few Republicans. Conviction in the Senate requires a two-thirds majority, a higher threshold that makes removal from office unlikely.