Republican Representative Thomas Massie moved on Monday, November 9, to force a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The Kentucky lawmaker introduced eight articles accusing Hegseth of misconduct tied chiefly to the U.S. war against Iran. The filing begins a short procedural window for a possible vote this week, although House leaders could seek to dispose of the measure without voting on the charges themselves, according to Reuters.
Massie's resolution alleges that Hegseth helped wage war against Iran without congressional approval. It also challenges U.S. military actions in Yemen and Venezuela and alleges that Hegseth violated the free speech rights of Democratic Senator Mark Kelly. These are allegations in the impeachment measure, not findings by a court or Congress. Massie presented the articles as lawmakers returned to Washington after midterm elections in which Democrats won control of the next Congress, according to the Associated Press.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries supports impeachment, while Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson opposes the effort during ongoing hostilities abroad, AP and Reuters reported. President Donald Trump defended Hegseth on Monday and said he would stand by him even if the House impeached him. Hegseth has rejected the push as politically motivated and said he is ready to defend the administration's military actions. He scheduled a Pentagon news conference for Tuesday, his first there since May, AP reported.
An impeachment vote requires a simple House majority. If the House approves the articles, the Senate would decide whether to dismiss them or conduct a trial; conviction and removal would require a two-thirds Senate majority. Republicans retain control of both chambers until the newly elected Congress takes office in January. Reuters reported that the outcome in the House remains uncertain and that Senate conviction appears unlikely under the current party balance.
The dispute puts congressional oversight of wartime decisions at the center of a fresh confrontation within the governing party. Massie wants a vote on the substance of his accusations, while Republican leaders may use a procedural motion to avoid one. The House could act by midweek, according to AP and Reuters. Until a vote occurs, Hegseth remains in office and the charges remain contested.
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