Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has filed eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of violating federal law, exceeding his constitutional authority and using the power of the Pentagon in ways that threaten constitutional protections.
Massie announced the filing Monday, November 9, as the House returned to Washington following the midterm election recess. The resolution renews an effort that began in September but was delayed after House Republican leadership ended legislative business before lawmakers could vote.
The central focus of Massie’s impeachment effort is the Trump administration’s military campaign against Iran. Massie argues that Hegseth continued directing U.S. military operations without authorization from Congress, violating the War Powers Resolution of 1973.
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That law limits how long a president can keep American forces engaged in unauthorized hostilities. It generally establishes a 60-day period, followed by a possible 30-day withdrawal period, unless Congress authorizes the military action.
According to Massie’s announcement and the resolution, three of the eight impeachment articles specifically address the Iran conflict. They accuse Hegseth of initiating the war without congressional authorization, refusing to comply with congressional efforts to end the military engagement and continuing operations beyond the statutory time limits.
The remaining five articles address other actions under Hegseth’s leadership.
Massie accuses the defense secretary of disregarding laws designed to protect civilians during military operations, including allegations involving civilian deaths during the Iran campaign.
Another article concerns U.S. military strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vessels in international waters. Massie alleges that the operations amounted to extrajudicial killings, with at least 243 people killed, and raises questions about strikes against survivors and the failure to rescue people left in the water.
The resolution also accuses Hegseth of using Pentagon authority to retaliate against Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) over his public statements questioning military orders.
Two additional articles address military operations outside Iran. One concerns the January operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Massie argues that Hegseth directed the operation without proper constitutional or legal authority.
The final article concerns Operation Rough Rider, the U.S. military campaign against Houthi targets in Yemen in 2025. Massie alleges that Hegseth initiated the operation without congressional authorization or an imminent threat to the United States.
Massie said the allegations extend beyond disagreements over military strategy and concern whether the defense secretary followed the laws governing the use of American military power.
The Pentagon has pushed back against the impeachment effort. According to The Washington Post, Hegseth’s aides have circulated talking points to Republican allies encouraging them to defend his record and characterize the effort as politically motivated.
Hegseth has also dismissed the impeachment push as political noise and indicated he is prepared to defend the administration’s military actions.
The effort has received support from House Democratic leadership. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has publicly expressed support for impeaching Hegseth, but the resolution’s prospects will depend on how Republicans respond.
Under House procedures, Massie’s privileged resolution requires House leadership to bring it before lawmakers within two legislative days. That could put the measure on the House floor as early as Wednesday, November 11. Republicans could also pursue procedural options to refer or table the resolution.
Impeachment does not automatically remove a Cabinet official from office. The House would first have to approve the articles by a simple majority. If that happens, the matter would move to the Senate, where conviction and removal require a two-thirds vote.
Hegseth would become only the third Cabinet secretary in U.S. history to be impeached if the House approves the articles. Former Secretary of War William Belknap was impeached in 1876, and former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was impeached in 2024.
For now, Massie’s filing puts Hegseth’s conduct and the administration’s use of military force before Congress, with lawmakers facing a decision on whether the allegations warrant impeachment proceedings.
