House to Vote on Impeachment Articles Against Defense Secretary Hegseth
U.S. Representative Thomas Massie has introduced eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and the House is expected to hold a vote this week, though conviction in the Senate appears unlikely.
U.S. Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, introduced eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday, triggering a two-day window for a possible House vote. The articles accuse Hegseth of waging war against Iran without congressional approval and of other alleged abuses of power.
Massie warned that Republican leadership might try to avoid a substantive vote by using procedural motions, urging a "vote and a rigorous debate on these eight articles of impeachment."
Congressional sources say the resolution could garner enough votes to pass the House, even though Republicans retain a majority until Democrats assume control on Jan. 3. A conviction in the Senate is considered unlikely, as a two-thirds majority is required and Republicans hold 53 of the 100 seats.
President Donald Trump defended Hegseth in a Reuters interview, citing the department’s actions in Iran and Venezuela and questioning how the secretary could be impeached. House Speaker Mike Johnson said impeachment "in the middle of hostilities abroad" would be detrimental to U.S. allies and adversaries.
Hegseth responded in a video message that he is not worried about the impeachment effort and likened it to the previous impeachments of President Trump, stating that "it didn't work against President Trump, and it won't work with me." He announced a press conference at the Pentagon, his first since May.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also serving as White House national security adviser, called the impeachment push "unfair" and praised Hegseth's performance.
Democratic leaders, including House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader-designate Chuck Schumer, have signaled support for the impeachment and indicated the Senate should put Hegseth on trial. They argue the secretary violated war powers statutes and other constitutional provisions.
Some Republican lawmakers expressed concern that a prolonged conflict with Congress could jeopardize the administration's $1.5 trillion defense spending package. Massie, who will leave office in January, warned that impeachment would be "much gentler" than the hearings and trials he expects Democrats to pursue once they control Congress.