Massie Reintroduces Impeachment Resolution Against Hegseth

Rep. Thomas Massie reintroduced articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday. The Kentucky Republican expects a House vote on the resolution within the next two days.

The document lists eight specific charges against Hegseth. Three of the charges allege that he illegally waged war against Iran in violation of the War Powers Resolution. Another charge accuses him of waging war against Yemen without proper authorization. The resolution also includes one charge for ignoring laws intended to minimize civilian casualties. It cites one charge for overseeing extrajudicial killings in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean through strikes on alleged drug boats. One charge addresses the suppression of free speech, specifically referencing the effort to punish Sen. Mark Kelly for a video telling service members they can refuse illegal orders. A final charge alleges the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro without congressional authorization.

Hegseth responded to the move in a video released last Thursday. He described the resolution as sham articles of impeachment. Hegseth stated, 'Didn't work against President Trump and it won't work with me.'

Massie has been a vocal critic of Hegseth for some time. The two men clashed during the GOP primary when Hegseth campaigned for Ed Gallrein, who defeated Massie. When Hegseth called Massie a disgruntled defeated congressman, Massie told reporters on Monday that he is indeed a defeated congressman but not disgruntled. He added, 'I'm being polite here. What is an impeachment? An impeachment is just firing someone, really.'

Massie said the effort aims to clarify the balance of power between the executive branch and Congress. He noted that the war powers resolution has been largely ignored by presidents of both parties. Massie first attempted to bring the 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.

Presumptive next House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries has signaled support for an impeachment push against Hegseth. Rep. Warren Davidson, a Republican from Ohio, suggested that impeachment might be hypocritical given historical precedent. Davidson told NPR, 'I think trying to scapegoat Pete Hegseth is just the status quo politics in Washington.' He argued that lawmakers should use the power of the purse to withhold funding for the conflict instead.

There may be enough votes in the House to impeach Hegseth, likely with support from all Democrats, Massie, and a few Republicans. However, the Senate requires a two-thirds majority to convict and remove a cabinet member. That higher threshold makes removal from office unlikely.