- Outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie introduced a resolution to impeach U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for 'high crimes and misdemeanors', accusing him of waging the Iran war without congressional authorization and ignoring laws that minimize civilian casualties.
- Massie had previously introduced impeachment articles in September, but House Speaker Mike Johnson blocked the effort by recessing the chamber early; Massie said the chances of passage are 'far more likely now than before the election.'
- Hegseth remained defiant, defending his actions in operations like Epic Fury, Rough Rider, and nabbing Nicolás Maduro, and dismissed the impeachment as 'sham articles' from a 'disgruntled, defeated congressman.'
- Rep. Hakeem Jeffries said he is a 'hard yes' on the resolution; Rep. Don Bacon said he was weighing whether to support the resolution but felt it would be better for Hegseth to resign.
- Trump defended Hegseth, saying he's 'guilty' of 'winning two wars'.
- The House now prepares for an impending impeachment vote.
- Johnson urged lawmakers against impeaching Hegseth, saying it would be a 'terrible look' during 'middle of hostilities abroad', while Sen. Thom Tillis criticized Hegseth for wasting taxpayer dollars on campaign-style videos.
- Top Republicans, including Vice President J.D. Vance, have blamed the Iran war for the midterms wipeout, and Hegseth’s role in the war makes him a target for intraparty retribution.
Rep. Thomas Massie has introduced articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, citing accusations of waging an unauthorized war in Iran and other unlawful military actions. The resolution includes eight articles targeting Hegseth's actions, including extrajudicial killings and operations against Nicolás Maduro.
Massie stated that the chances of the articles passing are “far more likely now than before the election,” indicating a shift in political dynamics following the midterms. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson cautioned against the impeachment, calling it a “terrible look” during ongoing hostilities abroad.
Despite the mounting pressure, Hegseth remains defiant, asserting that criticisms of his military decisions equate to attacking the troops. He remarked, “If you want to take issue with what we did... you’re taking issue with the troops and what they accomplished.” Meanwhile, Trump has publicly supported Hegseth, claiming he is “guilty of two things, basically winning two wars.”
As the impeachment vote looms, the political landscape remains tense, with some Republicans, including Rep. Don Bacon, contemplating their stance on the resolution. Bacon suggested it might be better for Hegseth to resign, stating, “I don’t think he was the right choice to begin with.”
“Massie's resolution includes eight articles, covering strikes on drug boats near Latin America and the Maduro capture, which he calls 'extrajudicial killings.' Johnson had blocked a previous attempt in September, but Jeffries' 'hard yes' signals strong Democratic support, making passage 'far more likely now than before the election.'”
