Key facts
- Rep. Thomas Massie filed articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
- Massie accuses Hegseth of violating the Constitution by engaging in hostilities against Iran for over 90 days without congressional authorization.
- The resolution outlines eight alleged constitutional violations by Hegseth, including ignoring war powers resolutions and laws minimizing civilian casualties.
- Massie also alleges Hegseth retaliated against critics and was involved in controversial military operations.
- The House must vote on the articles of impeachment within two legislative days.
- The impeachment articles are unlikely to pass the House but could force Republicans to take a stance before the midterm elections.
Republican U.S. Representative Thomas Massie filed articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday, accusing him of abusing his office and violating the Constitution by engaging in hostilities against Iran without congressional approval. The resolution, which must be voted on within two legislative days, could force House Republicans into a difficult position weeks before the November midterm elections.
Massie, an outspoken critic of the war in Iran, stated that Hegseth has repeatedly violated the law and the Constitution. The articles of impeachment cite eight alleged violations, including attacking Iran without seeking Congress's permission, ignoring war powers resolutions, and allegedly suppressing free speech through retaliation against critics. The resolution also accuses Hegseth of ignoring laws that would have minimized civilian casualties, citing a US strike in Minab, Iran, that killed over 168 people, and alleges involvement in "extrajudicial killings" and the capture of foreign leaders.
Massie previously angered President Donald Trump by leading a push to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein, leading Trump and Hegseth to urge voters to oppose Massie in his primary, which he lost. Opinion polls suggest the war in Iran, which began on February 28 with attacks by U.S. and Israeli forces, is unpopular. A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated Democrats lead Republicans 44% to 37% in congressional vote preference, potentially challenging Republican control of Congress.