Republican Representative Thomas Massie has announced plans to force a House vote this week aimed at removing Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, accusing him of violating the U.S. Constitution by conducting military operations in Iran for over 90 days without congressional approval.
While the initiative is expected to fall short since Republicans hold the congressional majority until January, Massie stated his objective is to pressure President Donald Trump into dismissing Hegseth ahead of planned impeachment proceedings by Democrats.
Secretary Hegseth voiced indifference toward the move, announcing plans to address Massie’s initiative during a Tuesday press conference.
After Massie officially presented the articles of impeachment on the House floor Monday afternoon, reporters questioned Hegseth, who dismissed the effort by stating, “We’re not worried about that,” while confirming he would address the matter directly the following morning.
This upcoming appearance will mark Hegseth’s first formal press briefing since May.
Massie, who lost his reelection bid earlier this year, stands out as one of the few congressional Republicans to openly criticize President Trump and the military campaign in Iran that commenced roughly nine months ago.
Backstory…
The impeachment push against US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth follows months of criticism over his handling of the US military campaign against Iran, which began with American and Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026.
The Kentucky congressman first introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth in September, accusing him of conducting military operations without congressional authorisation and abusing the powers of his office.
He also cited civilian casualties, US military strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean, the capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and the Pentagon’s investigation of Senator Mark Kelly.
“My effort to impeach Secretary Hegseth is a much gentler version of what’s coming when the Democrats assume control of the House and Senate next year,” Massie also said in a statement. “They will hold hearings and trials.”
“President Trump should replace Secretary Hegseth now while he can still get a replacement confirmed in the Senate,” he also said.
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