A Republican in name only who got walloped in his primary earlier this year by a candidate backed by President Donald Trump continues to show his bitter side.
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie moved Tuesday to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, introducing eight articles accusing him of violating federal law and congressional war powers through U.S. military operations overseas.
The Kentucky Republican formally introduced the resolution on the House floor, alleging that Hegseth committed “high crimes and misdemeanors” through his handling of military actions involving Iran, Venezuela and Yemen. Massie filed the measure as a privileged resolution, meaning the House will be required to consider it within two legislative days. The effort faces significant obstacles in the Republican-controlled chamber.
The first three articles center on the War Powers Resolution of 1973 and the ongoing conflict with Iran. Massie argues that the administration continued U.S. involvement in hostilities for more than 90 days without receiving authorization from Congress, which he contends violated federal law and infringed on Congress’ constitutional war-making authority, though most experts believe the War Powers Act is an unconstitutional infringement on the president’s authority as commander-in-chief.
The Trump administration has disputed that interpretation, arguing that earlier fighting and subsequent developments affected how the War Powers Resolution’s timeline applies. The Pentagon has also defended Hegseth and his leadership.
A fourth article accuses Hegseth of failing to adequately protect civilians during military operations. Massie cited a February strike on a school in Minab, Iran, that reportedly resulted in significant civilian casualties. Another article focuses on U.S. strikes against vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Massie argues those operations amounted to unlawful killings because the individuals aboard had not received judicial process and Congress had not authorized military force against them.
Massie also accused Hegseth of improperly retaliating against Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., after Kelly participated in a video reminding members of the military that they are obligated to reject unlawful orders. A seventh article concerns U.S. military action in Venezuela and the capture of Nicolás Maduro, which Massie characterized as an unauthorized act of war.
The final article targets the U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen in 2025, with Massie arguing that the operation was conducted without congressional authorization and without an imminent threat requiring immediate military action. Massie said Congress has a responsibility to enforce its constitutional authority over military action and hold executive branch officials accountable when lawmakers believe those limits have been exceeded. Hegseth is already facing a separate impeachment effort introduced earlier this year by House Democrats.
