Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, stood on the House floor Monday afternoon and read eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, filing them as a privileged resolution that forces the House to act, according to MS NOW, the Associated Press and Fox News.
Under House rules, leadership has two legislative days to deal with a privileged resolution. That means a vote could come by midweek. Leaders can bring the impeachment itself to the floor, or try to kill it with a vote to table it or send it back to committee. Every one of those options needs a majority, and it was not immediately clear Monday how GOP leaders plan to handle it.
The eight charges
According to Massie’s office, the articles accuse Hegseth of:
- Waging the Iran war without a declaration of war, statutory authorization, an attack on the United States or an imminent threat.
- Continuing the war after both chambers of Congress directed U.S. forces to be removed.
- Continuing hostilities past the War Powers Resolution’s 60-day deadline.
- Ignoring laws meant to minimize civilian casualties.
- Extrajudicial killings in the strikes on suspected drug boats, which the resolution says killed at least 243 people.
- Suppressing free speech by using Pentagon authority to retaliate against Sen. Mark Kelly.
- Directing the seizure of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores in Venezuela without legal authority.
- Launching an unauthorized war in Yemen.
“A much gentler version of what’s coming”
“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 in a statement.
He also warned the White House about what happens in January, when Democrats take control of both chambers: “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. They will hold hearings and trials. President Trump should replace Secretary Hegseth now while he can still get a replacement confirmed in the Senate.”
Could it actually pass?
Several House Republicans told Fox News Digital they believe Hegseth could be impeached, pointing to a mix of absences by Republicans who lost their races and frustration with his conduct. Two Republicans told MS NOW they think the vote would succeed if it reaches the floor. “I think the numbers are there,” one said.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has already said he is a “hard yes.”
Hegseth’s response
Hegseth told reporters Monday that anyone who takes issue with the operations in Iran or Venezuela is “taking issue with the troops and what they accomplished.” He said he will hold a press conference Tuesday, his first in more than 180 days. The Washington Post reported that his team has circulated talking points to allies arguing that impeaching him “weakens America on the world stage.”
The last Cabinet secretary to be impeached was Alejandro Mayorkas in 2024; the Senate dismissed those charges without a trial.