Massie Files New Impeachment Resolution Against Hegseth
The outgoing Kentucky representative accuses the defense secretary of unconstitutional conduct regarding the Iran war and strikes on drug boats.
By Ibrahim Howard ·
Representative Thomas Massie introduced a resolution on Monday to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The Kentucky Republican filed the documents as the House opened its first session after the midterm elections. Massie accused Hegseth of carrying out unlawful orders and threatening the Constitution.
The resolution contains eight articles of impeachment that Massie first raised in September. He cited the administration's war in Iran, strikes on purported drug boats, and other alleged violations of US law. At the time, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson avoided a vote by sending lawmakers home early.
Massie said he welcomes votes from any lawmakers who want Hegseth removed, even if they have not read the bill. He urged the defense secretary to resign before Democrats take control of Congress in January. He predicted that Democratic investigations will include testimony from senior administration officials on how the Defense Department has been run.
Hegseth responded by saying he welcomes the opportunity to defend his actions. He told reporters that while there are policy disagreements, those disagreements are with success. If lawmakers want to litigate the military actions, he is happy to do it all day long.
The resolution alleges that Hegseth violated the War Powers Resolution by helping carry out the war on Iran without congressional authorization. Massie claimed Hegseth cultivated a warmaking culture that caused civilian harm. This included the US bombing of a school in Minab, Iran, which killed more than 150 people, including about 120 children, in February.
Other charges involve strikes on alleged narcotics boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, the abduction of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and restrictions on media access to the Pentagon. Massie has been a frequent critic of the administration, particularly regarding the Iran war. Trump backed a rival who defeated Massie in the primary elections earlier this year.
A majority of the 435-member House must vote to impeach Hegseth. The Senate would then need two-thirds of its 100 lawmakers to remove him. Democrats are expected to hold about 54 Senate seats, which is short of the 67 votes needed for conviction. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries supported the impeachment, saying Hegseth abused his power and engineered a reckless war.
