Republican Representative Thomas Massie filed a 34-page resolution on November 9, 2026, to impeach United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, setting up a House vote to test support for the administration’s military policies.
Eight Articles of Impeachment
Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth in the House. The Kentucky lawmaker accused Hegseth of executing unlawful orders and subverting congressional war powers. House Speaker Mike Johnson opposed the effort.
The first article accuses Hegseth of introducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran without congressional authorization. CBS News reported that the resolution states: In response, and without lawful cause or excuse, Secretary Hegseth continued to direct United States Armed Forces into hostilities with the Islamic Republic of Iran on June 26, 2026, and continues to do so,
past the expiration of War Powers Resolution deadlines.
Back then, officials in the executive branch contended that the conflict with Iran had already concluded, making the war powers statute moot. The resolution also cites the U.S. bombing of a school in Minab, Iran, which killed more than 150 people including 120 children and staff members at the start of the war in February.
Additional articles target military operations in Yemen, the Caribbean, and Venezuela. Other counts cover the January 2026 military operation involving Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores, which the resolution describes as illegal and unconstitutional. The measure further claims that unlawful executions occurred when suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean were ordered destroyed and their sailors abandoned without rescue attempts.
Massie also cited Hegseth’s administrative actions against Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona reported CBS News. The sixth article specifically accuses Hegseth of retaliating against a member of Congress for constitutionally protected speech, stating that the defense secretary weaponized the Department of Defense to chill a core function of the legislative branch.
Hegseth issued a formal censure and warned that Kelly could face criminal prosecution alongside a demotion in his military retirement rank.
Trump and Rubio Defend Hegseth Against Impeachment Efforts
Hegseth dismissed the allegations during a press conference on November 10, 2026, calling the resolution political spectacle
according to CBS News and stating that critics have substantial policy disagreements but their disagreements are with success.
President Donald Trump defended his defense secretary against impeachment efforts, stating: Well, he won two wars. I don’t know how you can impeach him.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also defended Hegseth, saying he has done a good job despite widespread criticism and calling the Iran war necessary while acknowledging it was not necessarily popular.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries supported the impeachment push. Jeffries stated over the weekend that the defense secretary has abused his power, undermined our national security, and engineered this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran.
Democratic Party leaders have pledged to investigate the administration in Congress following their landslide victories in both chambers during the midterm elections.
A majority of the 435-member House is required to pass the impeachment articles, and a two-thirds vote in the 100-seat Senate would be required to convict and remove Hegseth reported Al Jazeera.
While the measure is unlikely to succeed in the current Republican-led Congress, Democrats are expected to hold about 54 seats in the upper chamber when new lawmakers are sworn into office in January, falling short of the 67 votes needed to convict and remove him.
Earlier coverage: Rep. Thomas Massie to force vote on impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth