Massie files impeachment resolution for Hegseth over Iran war

A new resolution to remove Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from office was introduced in the House of Representatives on Monday. The filing comes as the chamber convenes for its first session following the midterm elections. The move signals an immediate push to hold the administration accountable for its recent military decisions.

Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who is an outgoing member, filed eight articles of impeachment. These articles accuse Hegseth of violating the Constitution and issuing unlawful orders. Massie read from the text of the resolution on the House floor, framing the defense secretary as a threat to the nation's foundational laws.

The resolution centers on the war in Iran, which began in February. Massie alleges that Hegseth helped carry out the conflict without the congressional authorization required by the War Powers Resolution. The filing also details strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, characterizing them as extrajudicial killings that ignored mandatory safeguards.

Specific incidents cited in the document include the bombing of a school in Minab, Iran. The strike killed more than 150 people, including about 120 children. Other charges involve the abduction of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and an unlawful war against the Houthis in Yemen. The resolution also points to restrictions on media access to the Pentagon as a suppression of free speech.

Massie had first raised these eight articles in September. At that time, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson avoided a vote by sending lawmakers home early. Now, Massie is reintroducing the measure with the expectation that Democratic leaders, who won landslide victories in both chambers, will investigate the administration.

In a news conference, Massie said he would accept votes from any lawmakers who support the removal, even those who have not read the bill. He urged Hegseth to resign before Democrats take control of Congress in January. He predicted that new investigations would include testimony from senior officials on how the Defense Department has been managed.

Hegseth responded to the filing with defiance. He told reporters that he welcomes the opportunity to defend his actions in Congress. He suggested that critics have political disagreements with the department's success rather than its methods. Hegseth is scheduled to hold another news conference on Tuesday.

The procedural path for impeachment is long. A majority of the 435-member House must vote in favor of the articles. The Senate would then need two-thirds of its 100 members to vote for removal. While Democrats are expected to hold about 54 Senate seats, that falls short of the 67 votes needed for conviction.

Resistance to the resolution exists within Hegseth's own party. Speaker Johnson called the effort a cheap political trick, arguing that Cabinet secretaries should not be impeached for political gain. President Donald Trump defended Hegseth on Sunday, stating that the secretary won two wars. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also supported Hegseth, describing the Iran war as necessary despite its lack of popularity.