New Delhi: The Republican congressman from Kentucky’s 4th congressional district, Thomas Massie, formally introduced eight articles of impeachment against the US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth on Monday, accusing him of violating the constitution through his handling of the Iran war and other military operations. The move could force a House vote by Wednesday, placing the Pentagon chief under renewed scrutiny following Republican defeats in the midterm elections.
“By engaging in hostilities in Iran for more than 90 days without congressional authorization, secretary Hegseth is breaking the law and must be held accountable,” Massie said. The Kentucky Republican accused Hegseth of disregarding congressional authority over military operations.
Three articles concern the Iran war, alleging that Hegseth authorized military operations without congressional approval, ignored a congressional withdrawal directive and continued hostilities beyond statutory limits.
The 1973 war powers resolution generally requires unauthorized hostilities to end within 60 days, with a possible additional 30-day withdrawal period under specified circumstances. Massie argues that the administration exceeded those limits.
The remaining five articles accuse Hegseth of weakening civilian protection safeguards, overseeing unlawful maritime strikes against suspected drug traffickers and retaliating against Democratic Senator, Mark Kelly. They also challenged the US operation that captured Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro and military strikes in Yemen.
The resolution also accuses Hegseth of weakening safeguards against civilian casualties, citing a US strike on a school in Minab, Iran, where more than 150 people, including approximately 120 children, were reportedly killed. It further alleges that strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vessels amounted to extrajudicial killings, although these accusations have not been established through impeachment proceedings.
Why Massie revived the impeachment effort
Massie first introduced impeachment articles in September, but the House adjourned before a vote could take place. Following the Republican defeat in the midterm elections, he renewed his demand for Hegseth’s resignation and threatened to revive impeachment proceedings, as RNA Media reported earlier.
Massie, who lost his Republican primary to a Trump backed challenger, wants Hegseth replaced while Republicans retain control of the Senate. He warned that Democrats could otherwise launch broader investigations and impeachment proceedings next year.
Hegseth rejects allegations, Trump defends him
Hegseth rejected the impeachment effort as politically motivated, arguing that his critics disagreed with the administration’s military successes. “If we want to litigate” the military actions undertaken by the Trump administration, he said, “I’m happy to do it all day long.”
Trump defended Hegseth’s leadership of military operations in Iran and Venezuela, rejecting demands for his removal. “He’s guilty of two things, basically winning two wars,” the president said, arguing that the administration’s military campaigns had strengthened regional security.
The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, also defended Hegseth, saying he had “done a good job” despite criticism of the administration’s military operations. Rubio described the Iran war as “necessary”, while acknowledging that it was not “necessarily popular”.
Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries has declared himself a “hard yes” on impeachment. However, Republicans retain a narrow House majority, making the outcome dependent on support, attendance and procedural decisions.