Rep. Thomas Massie Forces House Vote on Pete Hegseth Impeachment

Republican Representative Thomas Massie forced a House vote on the impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday.

Massie seized the House floor for over an hour, reading a 34-page resolution with eight articles of impeachment aloud for more than 67 minutes. The resolution is privileged under House rules, mandating a full chamber vote within two legislative days, likely by Thursday. Massie accused Hegseth of high crimes and misdemeanors, stating Hegseth acted contrary to his trust as Secretary of Defense and subversive of constitutional government.

The resolution contends Hegseth will remain a threat to civilians and the laws of war, the integrity of United States diplomacy, and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office. The articles of impeachment allege Hegseth is waging the war in Iran without congressional authorization, violating the War Powers Resolution of 1973. Massie stated Hegseth's department continued hostilities after the House and Senate directed troop removal.

Other charges include refusing to minimize civilian casualties, extrajudicial killings in the Caribbean, the "Kidnapping of a Sovereign Foreign Leader" for the January operation that extracted Nicolás Maduro and his wife from Caracas, carrying out unlawful orders in Yemen, and suppressing free speech by retaliating against Senator Mark Kelly. Massie, who is on the Judiciary Committee and is serving out the remainder of his term after losing his primary, kept his resolution secret from Republican leaders.

Hegseth had campaigned against Massie in May for Ed Gallrein, who won the primary 55% to 45%. The Pentagon defended Hegseth, with press secretary Kingsley Wilson stating, "The entire Department is unified behind the Secretary’s vision." Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche rejected the premise, telling reporters the Iran conflict is not a war. The impeachment effort is not expected to succeed but forces a politically difficult vote for Republicans before midterm elections. The Pentagon told Congress Tuesday the war cost climbed to $42 billion.