Massie Forces House Vote on Impeachment of Defense Secretary Hegseth Over Iran War and Related Actions

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced a 34-page resolution on the House floor Monday containing eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The privileged resolution requires House leadership to schedule action within two legislative days, setting up a potential floor vote as early as this week.

Massie, who is retiring at the end of the current Congress, said the charges focus on Hegseth’s role in U.S. military operations against Iran that have continued for more than 90 days without a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization from Congress. Three of the articles cite specific provisions of the War Powers Resolution of 1973. Article I alleges the initiation of hostilities without the conditions required under Section 2(c). Article II alleges continuation of operations after both chambers passed H. Con. Res. 86 directing the removal of U.S. forces. Article III alleges continued hostilities after the expiration of the 60-day termination period and any 30-day withdrawal window under Section 5(b).

Additional articles address other military actions. One charges Hegseth with disregarding laws intended to minimize civilian casualties, citing a strike on an Iranian school. Another alleges extrajudicial killings in connection with strikes on vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific that the administration has described as targeting drug traffickers. Separate articles concern the U.S. operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, military operations in Yemen, and actions related to free speech involving Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) after Kelly and other lawmakers released a video stating that service members could refuse illegal orders.

In a statement, Massie said Hegseth “is breaking the law and must be held accountable” for the Iran operations and that his “constitutional violations extend beyond the illegal war in Iran.” He described the resolution as “a much gentler version of what’s coming when the Democrats assume control of the House and Senate next year” and urged President Trump to replace Hegseth while a Republican-controlled Senate can still confirm a successor. Massie also stated that the question is not the effectiveness of the operations but whether impeachable acts occurred, asserting that they did “eight times.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has said he supports the measure. Massie has noted that if the resolution passes the House, the articles would survive into the next Congress, when Democrats are expected to hold a Senate majority. Conviction and removal in the Senate would require a two-thirds vote.

Hegseth, speaking to reporters, said he was not concerned about the effort. President Trump criticized Massie after the resolution was introduced, describing him as a “loser.” Massie first introduced similar articles in September; House leaders recessed early at that time, avoiding a vote before the midterm elections. Republicans will retain control of the House until the new Congress is seated in January.

The resolution does not allege personal financial misconduct. It centers on the constitutional allocation of war powers between Congress and the executive branch and the application of the War Powers Resolution to specific military operations conducted under Hegseth’s authority. No charges have been filed in any court. The House has not yet voted on the resolution.