Massie Files Eight Articles of Impeachment Against Hegseth; Defense Secretary Calls It a 'Political Spectacle'

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky introduced eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday, November 9, accusing him of "high crimes and misdemeanors." The 34-page resolution says Hegseth would remain "a threat to the Constitution" if he stays in office. A House vote could come as early as this week.

What the charges cover

According to Breaking Defense, the articles accuse Hegseth of violating the War Powers Resolution in operations against Iran; ignoring laws meant to limit civilian casualties, citing a US strike on an Iranian school that the resolution says killed or injured more than 200 civilians; retaliating against Sen. Mark Kelly over a video about refusing unlawful orders; the abduction of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro; an "unlawful" war in Yemen; and extrajudicial killings in strikes on alleged drug boats.

Pete Hegseth at a Pentagon press briefing. File photo: U.S. Department of Defense (public domain).

Hegseth and Trump push back

At his first Pentagon press appearance in more than 180 days, Hegseth dismissed the effort as "a political spectacle" driven by ego and resentment, called the charges policy disagreements and said he stands behind every operation.

President Donald Trump called Massie, who lost his May primary to a Trump-backed candidate, a "stone-cold loser" and said he would stand by Hegseth even if the House impeaches him.

The vote math

Impeachment needs a simple majority in the House. Removal would need a two-thirds vote in the Senate, which is very unlikely. Massie himself said he did not know whether he had the votes. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries backs the motion, and outgoing Republican Rep. Don Bacon said he may support it.

Only two cabinet secretaries have ever been impeached, William Belknap in 1876 and Alejandro Mayorkas in 2024, and neither was removed. Democrats take control of both chambers in January after their midterm gains.