Articles of impeachment have been formally reintroduced in the House against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as mounting Republican backlash over the costly and unpopular war with Iran intensifies in the wake of the GOP’s midterm election losses.
Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) brought forward the resolution on Monday as Congress reconvened in Washington, D.C., for a lame-duck session. Massie alleged that the Pentagon chief committed “high crimes and misdemeanors” and abused his authority by violating the War Powers Resolution, executing military operations without congressional authorization, and ordering unlawful military actions across multiple nations.
“Despite the absence of a declaration of war, specific statutory authorization, or a national emergency created by an attack upon the United States, Secretary Hegseth knowingly executed and implemented unlawful orders to initiate war against a foreign nation,” Massie stated on the House floor.
Massie argued that Hegseth remains a threat to the Constitution and the rule of law, making impeachment, removal from office, and disqualification from future federal service necessary.
The legislative move comes amid severe political fallout from the ongoing military engagement with Iran, which commenced in February under a joint U.S. and Israel operation and has driven up global oil prices. The conflict has been heavily blamed by various party figures and partially by President Trump himself for the historic legislative rout that cost Republicans control of Congress in last week’s midterms.
While Massie previously introduced similar articles of impeachment in September, which were delayed when House Speaker Mike Johnson canceled the final scheduled voting day ahead of the recess, the Kentucky lawmaker expressed confidence that enough Republican defectors will cross party lines to secure a simple majority in the House.
President Trump has maintained public support for his defense secretary, dismissing Massie’s push while speaking to reporters.
“Yeah, I’ll stand by him,” Trump told CNN, adding that he believes Massie “has a lot of hatred in his heart.”
When asked previously about Hegseth’s performance, Trump defended him as doing a “very good job,” though reports indicate the administration has faced internal friction regarding strategy.
While Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff have actively pushed for diplomatic channels to conclude the conflict, Hegseth and Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, have reportedly advocated for a return to major combat operations during recent Pentagon briefings.
Other high-ranking Republicans have joined the chorus of criticism. Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) recently called on the president to dismiss Hegseth, stating that the defense chief faces a political “reckoning” over his management of the military. Similarly, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) voiced widespread party concern regarding the lack of a clear long-term strategy in Iran.
With Democrats set to assume control of both chambers of Congress next year, Hegseth’s handling of the Pentagon is expected to face aggressive legislative oversight, hearings, and formal investigations.
