Republican Congressman Pushes to Impeach US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth

Republican Congressman Thomas Massie has introduced articles of impeachment against US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of violating the US Constitution by allowing American forces to engage in hostilities against Iran for more than 90 days without congressional authorization. Massie formally introduced the resolution on the floor of the House on Monday, sparking a move that is expected to face significant opposition. The Kentucky congressman argues that Hegseth is breaking the law and must be held accountable.

Massie's impeachment effort is intended to pressure President Donald Trump to replace Hegseth before Democrats assume control of both chambers in the new year. The congressman described his action as a less confrontational alternative to what he expects from Democrats when they take control of Congress. He believes that Democrats would likely organise hearings and impeachment proceedings against Hegseth if he remained in office. Massie added that President Trump should replace Hegseth now while he can still get a replacement confirmed in the Senate.

Hegseth has dismissed concerns about the impeachment effort, telling reporters on Monday that he was not worried about the resolution. He is scheduled to hold a news conference on Tuesday to address Massie's allegations. The impeachment effort comes after Republicans lost control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in last week's midterm elections, giving Democrats the prospect of greater influence over congressional investigations and oversight.

Massie, who lost his re-election bid earlier this year, has been among the few Republicans openly critical of Trump's administration and its military campaign against Iran. His disagreement with Hegseth also extends beyond the war, with Massie accusing the defence secretary of intimidating critics of the administration, kidnapping foreign leaders, and disregarding congressional resolutions concerning presidential war powers.

Under the US Constitution, the House of Representatives has the authority to impeach federal officials, while the Senate conducts trials and decides whether to remove them from office. Impeachment of a cabinet secretary is rare in American history, with only two cabinet members previously being impeached by the House, and neither was removed by the Senate.

Following the introduction of Massie's resolution, House Speaker Mike Johnson is required to schedule consideration of the measure within two days. Lawmakers could vote directly on impeachment, refer the resolution to a committee, or set it aside. Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries has indicated support for the proposal, describing himself as a "hard yes" on impeachment. However, Massie would still need support from Republican lawmakers to secure sufficient votes.

The outcome of the impeachment effort remains uncertain, with Republicans still in control of Congress until January. If the resolution is not passed, it is likely that Democrats will take up the issue when they assume control of Congress. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between Congress and the Trump administration over the military campaign in Iran and the role of the Defence Secretary.

Key points

• Thomas Massie introduced articles of impeachment against Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over the US military campaign in Iran.
• Massie accuses Hegseth of violating the US Constitution by allowing American forces to engage in hostilities against Iran without congressional authorization.
• The impeachment effort is rare in American history, with only two cabinet members previously being impeached by the House.