Rep. Thomas Massie Introduces Impeachment Resolution Against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

<p>Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) introduced a resolution on September 15, 2026, to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of defying Congress and illegally continuing U.S. military operations in Iran.</p><p><strong>Context:</strong> The impeachment effort is considered unlikely to succeed in the GOP-controlled Congress. However, Massie's resolution is privileged, allowing him to force a full House vote, which would require Republicans to publicly state their positions regarding Hegseth's actions related to the Iran war.</p><hr /><ul><li>This move represents a significant escalation in Massie's ongoing efforts to limit the Trump administration's military powers. He did not inform GOP leaders of his plans prior to introducing the resolution.</li><li>The resolution follows previous House votes aimed at constraining the administration's military actions in Iran, including war powers resolutions passed in June and July that directed the president to cease hostilities with Tehran.</li><li>The House is scheduled to vote on another war powers resolution concerning the Iran conflict on the same day.</li></ul><p><strong>Details of the Resolution:</strong> Massie's resolution claims that Hegseth has continued military operations in Iran despite Congress's constitutional authority over war and its votes aimed at ending the conflict.</p><ul><li>Massie stated that Hegseth's actions have undermined Congress's ability to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities and have allowed what he termed an "unlawful war" to persist.</li><li>He remarked on the House floor, "In all of this, Secretary Hegseth has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as Secretary of Defense."</li><li>The resolution includes eight articles that also address Hegseth's involvement in military operations in Venezuela and Yemen, alleging he illegally directed an operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro without congressional approval.</li></ul><p><strong>Background:</strong> Hegseth has already faced a separate impeachment effort from House Democrats, who introduced six articles against him in April, including claims of conducting an unauthorized war against Iran.</p><p><strong>Next Steps:</strong> The House is required to address the legislation within the next two legislative days, although GOP leaders may opt to vote on tabling the resolution instead.</p><p><em>Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that Massie did not inform GOP leaders in advance about his plans.</em></p>