- U.S. Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth, setting off a two-day clock for an expected House vote on charges including waging war against Iran without congressional approval and other abuses of power.
- Massie's articles accuse Hegseth of high crimes and misdemeanors including waging the Iran war and violating the free speech rights of U.S. Senator Mark Kelly.
- Congressional sources say the resolution may have the simple majority needed to pass the Republican-controlled House before Democrats take over on January 3, but conviction appears unlikely in the Senate, where a two-thirds majority is required.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson opposed the effort, saying impeachment 'in the middle of hostilities abroad' would be 'a terrible thing for our allies and our enemies to see.'
- Hegseth is promising to stay and fight, mounting a social media campaign and drawing a comparison to President Donald Trump, who was impeached twice, saying: 'It didn’t work against President Trump, and it won’t work with me.'
- Asked if he had enough Republican support to defeat the impeachment push, Hegseth said: 'We're not worried about that.' He announced a Tuesday press conference, his first at the Pentagon since May.
- Some Republican lawmakers have expressed concern that if Hegseth stays, his strained relationship with Congress will undermine the Trump administration’s push for a $1.5 trillion defense spending package. Additionally, Massie warned that impeachment would be 'much gentler' than what’s in store for Hegseth once Democrats take control in January.
- Voter anger over the war helped Democrats win control of Congress in last week’s midterm elections, intensifying Republican divisions over a conflict that Vice President JD Vance has publicly questioned and Hegseth has defended as 'courageous and historic.'
U.S. Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, has introduced articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of waging war against Iran without congressional approval and committing various abuses of power. The House is expected to vote within two days, with sources indicating that the resolution may secure the simple majority needed to pass in the Republican-controlled House before Democrats assume control on January 3.134678
Massie's articles allege high crimes and misdemeanors, including violations of free speech rights of U.S. Senator Mark Kelly. However, conviction in the Senate appears unlikely, as a two-thirds majority is required and Republicans hold only 53 of 100 seats.2
House Speaker Mike Johnson has voiced opposition to the impeachment effort, stating that it would be a “terrible thing for our allies and our enemies to see” during ongoing hostilities abroad. Meanwhile, Hegseth has mounted a social media campaign, asserting he will not back down, and drawing comparisons to President Donald Trump, who faced two impeachments.5
Some Republican lawmakers worry that Hegseth's continued presence could undermine the administration's push for a $1.5 trillion defense spending package. Massie, who is leaving office in January, warned that impeachment would be “much gentler” than what Hegseth might face once Democrats take control.1112
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has expressed strong support for the impeachment measure, stating he is a “hard yes” on the initiative.
“Massie's articles accuse Hegseth of 'high crimes and misdemeanors,' including violating the free speech rights of Sen. Mark Kelly. Speaker Mike Johnson opposes the effort, saying impeachment 'in the middle of hostilities abroad' would be 'a terrible thing,' while Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is a 'hard yes' on the measure.”
