Trump foe Thomas Massie launches effort to impeach Pete Hegseth
Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky has filed a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, forcing the House of Representatives to hold a vote on the matter within two days.
Massie accused the Pentagon chief of high crimes and misdemeanors on Tuesday, citing military operations in Iran, Caribbean boat strikes and disputes over free speech. Because the resolution is privileged under House rules, it bypasses standard committee delays and mandates a full vote by the chamber.
Massie stated that Hegseth violated “his oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States” and violated “his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, especially with regard to the commission of war,” as reported by The Hill. He added that Hegseth has “abused the powers of the Department of Defense.”
The move marks a historic first-of-its-kind attempt by a lawmaker to target a Cabinet member from their own party with impeachment articles, and it follows an ongoing feud between the two men.
In May, Hegseth traveled to Kentucky to campaign for Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL who challenged Massie in the Republican primary. During the visit, the Defense secretary criticized the incumbent, stating that “at some point, being against everything becomes an excuse for accomplishing nothing.” Gallrein won the primary, ending Massie’s reelection bid.
The vote creates a tense political landscape. While Democrats previously introduced their own impeachment resolution against Hegseth in April, led by Representative Yassamin Ansari over Iran policy and classified information handling, many lawmakers from the party argue that any ouster should follow formal committee investigations, as reported by Politico.
House Republicans also face a complex vote right before the midterm elections.
Under the War Powers Resolution, presidents must conclude unauthorized military engagements within 60 days unless Congress provides formal authorization or a 30-day withdrawal extension. The House has previously passed two separate war powers measures with bipartisan support.
Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson defended the administration's record on Tuesday.
“Standards and merit are back, our arsenal is stronger than ever before and morale and recruitment across every service are at all-time highs,” Wilson said in a statement. “Secretary Hegseth has slashed bureaucracy, unleashed innovation and delivered for our warfighters every step of the way.”
Wilson added: “By every measurable metric, the Department of War is better under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth’s leadership than before. The entire Department is unified behind the Secretary’s vision and will continue working to put our warfighters and America first.”
