Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces a potential Pete Hegseth impeachment vote in the coming days as lawmakers return to Capitol Hill to finish the current legislative session. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced updated articles of impeachment on Monday, initiating a procedural clock that could force House leadership to bring the matter to the floor within 48 hours.
The push to remove the Pentagon chief comes as members of both political parties express growing frustration over the administration's Iran war strategy and the broader conduct of the Department of Defense. While Republican leaders previously delayed a vote on the matter in September, the return of the GOP-controlled Congress on Monday has reignited the effort following significant losses in the midterm elections.
Massie’s House Impeachment Resolution and the Eight Articles
Rep. Thomas Massie, who is set to leave office after losing his primary earlier this year, filed a 34-page House impeachment resolution containing eight distinct articles. The document accuses Pete Hegseth of committing "high crimes and misdemeanors" and argues that his continued presence in office represents a threat to the U.S. Constitution.
The articles of impeachment focus on several controversial military and political actions:
- Unauthorized Warfare: Three of the articles allege that Hegseth abused the powers of his office by conducting military operations against Iran without the required authorization from Congress.
- Civilian Casualties: One article claims the Defense Secretary ignored legal requirements intended to minimize civilian harm, specifically citing a strike on an Iranian school that occurred earlier this year.
- International Operations: The resolution points to Pentagon-led boat strikes in the Caribbean and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
- Free Speech and Oversight: Another article centers on the Pentagon’s scrutiny of Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) after the senator and other lawmakers released a video advising service members to "refuse illegal orders."
Massie argued on Monday that the core of the issue is the legality of the Secretary’s actions. "The question is whether he committed impeachable acts," Massie said. "And the answer is yes, eight times."
Republican Divisions and the Iran War Strategy
The effort to impeach a sitting Cabinet member has created a rift within the Republican party. Some GOP members have become more vocal in their criticism of the Secretary of Defense impeachment proceedings following the party’s performance in the midterms, which many observers linked to voter concerns regarding the cost of living and the ongoing conflict in Iran.
Rep. James Comer (R-KY), chairman of the House Oversight Committee, noted that there is significant dissatisfaction within the party regarding the current Iran war strategy. Comer stated that Republican voters may be even more upset about the situation in Iran than their Democratic counterparts, noting that the strategy moving forward remains unclear.
Other Republicans are still weighing their options. Rep. French Hill (R-AR) indicated he is waiting for the floor debate before deciding if Hegseth’s actions warrant impeachment or if other disciplinary measures by the president would be more appropriate. Similarly, retiring Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) expressed that while he is troubled by Hegseth's performance, he is "wrestling" with whether the conduct meets the constitutional threshold of high crimes and misdemeanors.
Hegseth Responds to "Sham" Impeachment Effort
Pete Hegseth has remained defiant in the face of the resolution, dismissing the effort as a politically motivated attack. In a video released on social media last week, Hegseth compared the situation to the previous impeachments of former President Donald Trump, characterizing the move as "political theater disguised as power."
"A disgruntled, defeated congressman, along with all his Democrat allies, has also dropped sham articles of impeachment against yours truly, just like they tried against President Trump twice," Hegseth said. He further claimed that the effort was part of a "politics of personal destruction" and stated that he is not worried about the outcome.
The Defense Secretary is expected to hold a news conference on Tuesday morning to further address the allegations and the looming vote.
Historical Precedent for Cabinet Impeachments
If the House moves forward, Hegseth would become only the third Cabinet secretary in the history of the United States to be impeached. The first was Secretary of War William Belknap in 1876, who faced allegations of corruption but was ultimately acquitted by the Senate.
More recently, in 2024, the House impeached Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over the administration's handling of the southern border. The charges against Mayorkas were later dismissed.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has already signaled that Democrats are likely to support the resolution, calling himself a "hard yes" on the effort. However, with the narrow Republican majority, the final outcome of the Pete Hegseth impeachment vote will depend on how many GOP members join the effort to remove the Pentagon leader.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Pete Hegseth impeachment vote expected to happen?
Rep. Thomas Massie introduced the updated resolution on Monday, which starts a two-day clock for House leadership to schedule the vote. It is expected to occur within the coming days as the House reconvenes.
What are the main charges in the Pete Hegseth impeachment resolution?
The resolution includes eight articles, primarily focusing on waging war against Iran without congressional approval, failing to minimize civilian casualties, and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
How many Cabinet secretaries have been impeached in U.S. history?
Only two Cabinet secretaries have ever been impeached: William Belknap in 1876 and Alejandro Mayorkas in 2024. If the vote passes, Hegseth would be the third.