Republican congressman Thomas Massie has proposed impeaching Pete Hegseth, alleging the defence secretary repeatedly violated the US constitution through how he handled the war with Iran and civilian deaths connected to conflicts abroad.
Massie’s move, made on Tuesday, comes as House Republicans face political pressure in the run-up to the 3 November midterm elections, with the party trying to defend its narrow control of Congress. Under House rules, the impeachment articles would need to be put to a vote by Thursday.
Massie, who has often taken an unconventional stance in Congress, previously lost his primary earlier this year after Donald Trump and Hegseth urged voters to oppose him. The resolution now places other Republicans in a difficult position, given that Hegseth is one of the administration’s most visible supporters of the extended military campaign against Iran, which Trump had originally indicated would be shorter and has since drawn broader public criticism.
Massie Calls For Accountability
After reading the resolution text on the House floor, Massie said Hegseth had violated the law by engaging in hostilities in Iran for more than 90 days without congressional authorisation.
He added that the alleged constitutional breaches were not limited to Iran, arguing that Hegseth had used the office of defence secretary to disregard war powers restrictions, to seize foreign leaders, and to intimidate critics of the Trump administration through retaliation for exercising free speech. Massie said Congress should not ignore what he described as unconstitutional and illegal conduct.
The Department of Defence did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
Allegations In Eight Articles
Massie’s resolution sets out eight alleged constitutional violations by Hegseth, a former Fox News presenter and an Army National Guard officer. It depicts him as a combative defender of the president’s approach to military policy.
The proposal says Hegseth helped pursue attacks in Iran without first seeking permission from Congress. It also alleges he disregarded a war powers resolution that the House and Senate approved in June, which would require an end to the conflict.
Other parts of the resolution accuse Hegseth of failing to follow laws intended to reduce civilian harm. It specifically points to a US strike on a school in Minab, Iran, which the resolution says killed more than 168 people.
The articles also allege Hegseth was involved in “extrajudicial killings” of at least 221 people on boats suspected of carrying drugs in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean. In addition, Massie says Hegseth suppressed free speech by retaliating against Democratic senator Mark Kelly after Kelly criticised the secretary.
Senate Trial Decision Looms
If the House approves the impeachment articles, the matter would move to the Senate. Republican leadership would then decide whether to hold a trial for Hegseth. The proposal comes as Hegseth has continued to be viewed as loyal to Trump, despite other cabinet secretaries—such as attorney general Pam Bondi and labour secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer—leaving their posts.
The resolution is expected to draw support from Democrats in the House, where the party’s votes could be decisive given Republicans’ thin majority.
Massie has previously sought to leverage unanimous Democratic support and the closeness of the Republican majority to advance measures including one that forced the release of many records related to the disgraced financier and former Trump associate Jeffrey Epstein.
Join the discussion? 
16 September 2026
-
6
-
1
-
1
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment