GOP Rep Thomas Massie introduces 8 articles of impeachment against War Secretary Pete Hegseth

Representative Thomas Massie Introduces Impeachment Resolution Against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

On a Tuesday morning in the U.S. House of Representatives, Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massie formally introduced a resolution to impeach Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The motion, which included eight separate articles of impeachment, was read aloud on the House floor and is now pending debate. No vote has yet taken place.

The Charges

Massie’s resolution accuses Hegseth of a range of alleged misconduct that, according to the Republican lawmaker, constitutes “high crimes and misdemeanors.” The articles are organized around several themes, primarily violations of the War Powers Resolution and the conduct of U.S. military operations abroad.

1. Iran War Powers Violation (Articles 1‑3).
   The first three articles contend that Hegseth’s Department of Defense has “waged the Iran war” in defiance of the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which requires congressional approval for hostilities. They argue that the war was unlawful from its beginning, that Hegseth ignored congressional orders to withdraw troops after the House and Senate had directed a pull‑out, and that he continued hostilities beyond the 60‑day termination period mandated by the resolution.

2. Civilian Harm and Extrajudicial Killings (Articles 4‑5).
   Articles 4 and 5 shift focus to operations in the Caribbean. They accuse Hegseth of refusing to minimize civilian casualties during strikes against suspected drug traffickers and of replacing maritime law‑enforcement with unauthorized lethal military targeting. The allegations also include engagement in extrajudicial killings.

3. Suppression of Free Speech (Article 6).
   The sixth article claims that Hegseth retaliated against U.S. Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona for a video in which Kelly joined other lawmakers in a clip encouraging service members to disobey lawful orders. Massie says the secretary used his authority to silence the senator’s free‑speech rights.

4. Kidnapping of a Sovereign Leader (Article 7).
   The seventh article charges Hegseth with ordering the “kidnapping” of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife during Operation Absolute Resolve, a January mission that extracted the ex‑dictator from Caracas. Massie alleges the operation violated constitutional and legal authority.

5. Unlawful Orders in Yemen (Article 8).
   The final article accuses Hegseth of initiating Operation Rough Rider in Yemen without congressional authorization or an imminent threat to the United States. It also cites failures to meet war‑powers reporting requirements and points to extensive civilian deaths and unlawful strikes on protected persons.

Massie’s Statement

After reading the eight articles, which took over an hour on the House floor, Massie delivered a closing statement. “In all of this, Secretary Hegseth abused the powers entrusted to him as Secretary of Defense by subordinating the constitutional limits on the use of military force and the laws governing the conduct of hostilities to his own policy objectives,” he said. “He has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to civilians, the lawful conduct of United States military operations, the integrity and credibility of the United States Armed Forces, and the Constitution, if allowed to remain in office. He has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with his duties and the rule of law. This warrants impeachment, trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States.”

Reactions and Context

The resolution is the first formal impeachment action brought against a current Secretary of Defense. Historically, only two defense secretaries—George H. W. Bush (as a former governor) and Robert M. McFarlane—have faced impeachment inquiries, though both were ultimately cleared. The House has previously considered impeachment for other officials, but no such action has progressed to a vote on a Secretary of Defense in the past 25 years.

Hegseth’s tenure has seen increased U.S. military involvement in the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean, including support for drone strikes and special‑forces operations. Critics have highlighted the legal and ethical questions surrounding these actions, while supporters argue that Hegseth’s initiatives are necessary to counter global threats.

The resolution has been filed with the Clerk of the House and is now subject to the House’s rules for consideration. According to House procedure, it must be reported to a committee—most likely the Committee on Armed Services—for further review before any floor action. No vote on the impeachment articles has yet been scheduled.

Statements from the Pentagon and Massie’s Office

Fox News Digital reached out to both the Pentagon and Representative Massie’s office for comment. Neither side provided a statement at the time of this reporting. Hegseth’s official spokesperson has not yet responded to the allegations.

Implications

If the House were to move forward, it would trigger the impeachment process, culminating in a trial in the Senate. Removal from office would require a two‑thirds majority. Whether the resolution will advance beyond the committee stage remains to be seen. The move underscores growing partisan divisions over the conduct of U.S. military operations abroad and the legal limits on executive power.

For now, the resolution remains a formal expression of congressional concern over Secretary Hegseth’s actions, signaling a willingness by at least one House member to pursue the ultimate remedy—impeachment—for what he sees as a breach of constitutional authority.