Massie pushes for impeachment vote on Hegseth amid shifting congressional power
A defeated Republican congressman is forcing a House vote to impeach the Defense Secretary, aiming to remove him before Democrats take control of Congress next year.
By Marina Weber ·
Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky who lost his bid for re-election earlier this year, has introduced articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The resolution was formally placed on the House floor on Monday afternoon, alleging that the secretary has violated the US Constitution. Massie argues that Hegseth has broken the law by engaging in hostilities in Iran for more than 90 days without receiving congressional authorization. The congressman insists that the defense chief must be held accountable for these actions.
The timing of the move is strategic. Republicans will retain power in Congress until January, but Massie believes a vote now is the most effective way to push President Donald Trump to fire Hegseth. His goal is to remove the secretary before Democrats can launch their own, potentially more public, impeachment process after they assume control of both chambers. Massie described his effort as a gentler alternative to the hearings and trials he expects the new Democratic leadership to conduct next year. He urged the president to replace Hegseth immediately while the Senate is still in a position to confirm a successor.
Secretary Hegseth appeared unfazed by the impending vote. Speaking to reporters on Monday, he stated that he was not worried about the resolution. He announced plans to hold a news conference on Tuesday morning to address the topic directly. This will be his first press briefing since May, marking a significant return to the public spotlight for the defense chief.
Massie is part of a small group of Republicans who have been critical of President Trump and the war in Iran, which began nearly nine months ago. He first introduced impeachment articles in September and is now pressing for an actual vote following last week's midterm elections. In those races, Republicans lost control of both the House and the Senate, shifting the balance of power in Washington. Massie views his current push as a way to prevent what he calls a Democrat spectacle in the coming year.
The procedural path for the resolution is now clear. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson must schedule a time for the chamber to consider the measure within two days. The House has several options regarding the resolution. It can vote on the impeachment directly, refer it to a committee for further review, or set it aside entirely. Given the current partisan divide, the outcome of any direct vote will depend heavily on the support Massie can gather from his own party.
Massie is expected to receive strong backing from the Democratic caucus in the House. Party leader Hakeem Jeffries declared on Sunday that he is a hard yes on impeachment. However, securing enough votes from Republicans remains the critical challenge. The congressman has pointed to several specific grievances beyond the Iran conflict. He has accused Hegseth of intimidating critics of the administration, kidnapping foreign leaders, and ignoring congressional war powers resolutions.
The context for this dispute includes the House's repeated passage of a War Powers resolution this year. That measure seeks to stop the president from taking further military action in Iran, and Massie has supported those efforts. Despite these prior votes, the disagreement between the congressman and the defense secretary persists. The impeachment effort highlights the growing tensions between the executive branch and a Congress that is about to change leadership.
Impeaching a cabinet secretary is a rare occurrence in US history. The House has voted to impeach only two cabinet members in the past, and the Senate did not agree to remove either one from office. For the impeachment to be successful, it must be approved by both chambers of Congress. The process serves as a check on executive power, though it has seldom been used against high-ranking officials outside of the presidency.
As the House prepares to schedule the vote, attention will turn to how many Republican members join Massie in his call for accountability. The resolution puts the Defense Secretary on the spot, forcing a public reckoning with his conduct during the ongoing conflict. Whether the vote leads to removal, a committee referral, or a symbolic defeat, it marks a significant moment in the relationship between the defense department and the legislature.
The coming weeks will see a shift in congressional dynamics as the new leadership prepares to take office. Massie's initiative sets the stage for potential further conflict over war powers and executive authority. The defense secretary's Tuesday news conference will be the first opportunity for him to address these specific accusations in detail. All eyes will be on the reaction from both the White House and the incoming Democratic leadership in the House and Senate.
