Hegseth Faces Fresh Push From Massie To Remove Him Over Iran War Conduct
The Kentucky representative cites war conduct in Iran and Yemen, while Speaker Johnson faces pressure to bring the measure to the House floor.
By Aiko Soto ·
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) introduced eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday, the first day of the U.S. House session following the midterm elections. The resolution targets Hegseth’s management of the war with Iran as its primary focus, while also referencing military operations in Venezuela and Yemen.
Massie distinguished the new resolution from his September attempt, which House Speaker Mike Johnson avoided by sending lawmakers home early. During a press conference outside the Capitol, Massie stated that the articles do not claim Hegseth was ineffective. He noted that Hegseth was effective at killing school children in Iran and conducting extrajudicial killings. The core argument, Massie said, is that Hegseth broke laws and violated the Constitution.
Massie is urging Johnson to bring the resolution to the floor this week. He emphasized that Republicans remain the majority in the House and can still act. “They can still do the right thing,” Massie said. Johnson could again adjourn the House early to avoid a vote, a tactic he used in September when Massie first attempted the impeachment.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Democrats would likely support the measure. Jeffries described Hegseth as the architect of a reckless and costly failed war of choice in Iran. He accused the secretary of abusing his power and undermining national security. Jeffries called his vote a “hard yes.”
President Donald Trump addressed the impeachment call during an impromptu press briefing at the White House on Monday. Trump said he would stand by Hegseth and asked Congress to do the same. He criticized Massie, who is an outspoken critic of the president, for taking up the time of Congress and the Senate. “Massie is a loser,” Trump told reporters. “The guy’s a stone-cold loser.”
Massie, who defeated in May by Trump-endorsed primary challenger Ed Gallrein, remains in his current role as a member of the House. The president’s comments followed his previous support for Gallrein in the Kentucky primary.
Hegseth is scheduled to hold a press briefing at the Pentagon on Tuesday morning. It will be his first public briefing in more than 180 days. The timing coincides with the initial introduction of the impeachment articles in the House.
