House Rep. Thomas Massie Seeks Impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky moved Monday to force a vote to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Massie read the resolution from the House floor immediately after the chamber opened for its first day of sessions following the midterm elections. The measure targets the secretary's role in military operations in Iran, Yemen, and Venezuela.

Massie, a Republican who lost his primary earlier this year to a Trump-backed challenger, argued that Hegseth committed high crimes and misdemeanors. The congressman stated that the defense secretary knowingly executed unlawful orders and remains a threat to the Constitution. Massie’s push follows sweeping election losses for the Republican Party, which some attribute to fallout from the war in Iran.

President Donald Trump reacted quickly to the move, criticizing Massie personally just hours after the resolution was read. The president called the congressman a loser who has a lot of hatred in his heart. Trump defended Hegseth later on Monday, telling reporters that the secretary won the war in Venezuela and is winning the war in Iran.

A vote in the House could occur by mid-week. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries supports the impeachment measure. If most Democrats vote in favor, Massie would need support from only a few Republicans to pass the resolution. Republicans currently hold the majority in both chambers until the new Congress convenes in January, when Democrats are expected to take control.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer endorsed the push, stating that Hegseth must stand trial before the Senate. Republican leaders expressed frustration, noting their desire to execute their own agenda during their final weeks in power. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has tried to prevent the vote, said impeachment in the middle of hostilities abroad would be a terrible look for allies and enemies to see.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he was unsure why the vote was being held now. He noted that the Senate would have to deal with the outcome accordingly. If the House votes to impeach, the Senate will decide whether to dismiss the charges or hold a trial.

Hegseth stepped up his public defense ahead of the potential vote. After speaking at the Naval War College in Rhode Island, he told reporters that politically motivated people may have policy disagreements with success. He added that if the military actions are to be litigated, he is happy to do it all day long. Hegseth also announced he would hold a news conference on Tuesday, his first in over 180 days, to address the impeachment threat.

The defense secretary argued that the war was necessary to confront the Iranian regime’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon. He said the choice was to either not act and wish it away or take a bold move. Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful. The International Atomic Energy Agency reports that Iran holds 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity, a technical step away from the 90 percent level considered weapons-grade.

Hegseth reiterated that Iran is devastated, despite the country continuing to strike U.S. military bases in the Middle East and commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Disruptions in the waterway, which carried one-fifth of the world's oil before the war, have contributed to higher energy prices. A recent AP Voter Poll of more than 100,000 voters found that about 6 in 10 Americans believe the U.S. made the wrong decision in taking military action against Iran.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended Hegseth during a Group of Seven gathering in Paris. Rubio said he believes Hegseth is doing a great job and works incredibly hard. He noted that he sees a side of the defense secretary that the media and members of Congress may not see.