Massie Plans to Reintroduce Impeachment Articles Against Defense Secretary Hegseth
The Kentucky Republican intends to bring the measure back to the House floor as soon as next week, citing the lack of congressional approval for the Iran war.
By Harper Collins ·
Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky will reintroduce articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth when the House returns from its break.
Massie, a Republican who frequently criticizes President Donald Trump, told Bloomberg News he will “definitely” bring the new resolution to the floor as early as next week. The proposal targets Hegseth for waging the recent war in Iran without seeking prior approval from Congress.
The push for impeachment has gained traction following the midterm elections, where Republicans lost control of Congress. Many observers attribute the party’s defeat to voter dissatisfaction with the conflict in Iran. Massie noted that his current resolution is a “much gentler version” of the process that would occur if Democrats controlled the House.
Hegseth responded to the threat on Thursday by posting a six-minute video on X. In the clip, he defended his tenure and referred to Massie as a “disgruntled, defeated congressman.” Hegseth noted that Massie had filed “sham articles of impeachment against yours truly.” Massie lost his primary earlier this year after Trump supported a challenger.
President Trump continues to support the Defense Secretary. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the president said Hegseth has done a “fantastic job” and suggested that opposition to him stems from his crackdown on Pentagon diversity initiatives. Trump previously stated he had no plans to fire Hegseth, calling his performance a “good job.”
The political context for the impeachment effort has shifted sharply since the midterms. Vice President JD Vance posted on X on Wednesday that the war was the primary reason Republicans lost the Senate. “The reason we lost is the war,” Vance wrote. He added that if one argues the conflict was worth losing the Senate for the next six years, the argument should be made.
Hegseth, a former National Guardsman and Fox News host, has faced criticism since his nomination. Lawmakers questioned his qualifications before he was narrowly confirmed. His relationship with Congress deteriorated during the Iran conflict after combative hearings and reports that he refused to share cost data with oversight committees. Republicans who lost their seats this week may not return for the lame duck session, potentially increasing the margin for impeachment supporters.
