Rep. Thomas Massie Introduces Articles of Impeachment Against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth

<p>Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., introduced a resolution to impeach Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and read eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth on the House floor on September 15, 2026.</p><p>Massie formally entered a resolution to impeach Hegseth for "high crimes and misdemeanors" on the House floor, citing allegations of violating the War Powers Resolution of 1973 in Iran and his involvement in the operation that led to former Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro's capture and extradition.</p><p>The first three of the eight articles accuse Hegseth of violating the War Powers Resolution of 1973, arguing that Hegseth's Department of War is "waging the Iran war despite no declaration of war, statutory authorization, attack on the United States, or imminent threat."</p><p>The first article seeks to establish "that the war was unlawful from its inception." The second article claims that Hegseth disobeyed Congress after both the House and the Senate directed the removal of troops from Iran. The third article claims that Hegseth is "continuing hostilities in Iran after expiration of the War Powers Resolution’s 60-day termination period and any potential 30-day withdrawal period."</p><p>The fourth and fifth articles accuse Hegseth of refusing to minimize civilian casualties and engaging in extrajudicial killing, with the latter charge accusing Hegseth of "replacing maritime law enforcement with unauthorized lethal military targeting of suspected drug traffickers" during operations targeting suspected narcotraffickers in the Caribbean Sea.</p><p>Massie's seventh article accuses Hegseth of the "Kidnapping of a Sovereign Foreign Leader" for his role in Operation Absolute Resolve, the January mission in which U.S. Special Forces apprehended and extracted Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores from Caracas. Massie's article condemns Hegseth for doing so "without constitutional or legal authority."</p><p>Article six accuses Hegseth of using his authority to suppress the free speech of Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., by retaliating against the senator for his video in which the senator joined a group of other lawmakers in a video that critics claimed encouraged active military members to disobey lawful orders.</p><p>The final article charges Hegseth with carrying out unlawful orders in Yemen. The article "charges Secretary Hegseth with initiating Operation Rough Rider without congressional authorization or an imminent threat to the United States, while also violating war powers reporting requirements. It further addresses extensive civilian deaths and unlawful strikes on civilian objects, rescuers, and other protected persons."</p><p>After reading out his articles for over an hour on the House floor, Massie concluded his introduction.</p><p>"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," Massie stated.</p><p>Massie also added that Hegseth "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, and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with his duties, and the rule of law."</p><p>This, Massie said, "warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States."</p><p>Fox News Digital contacted Massie's office and the Pentagon for further comment.</p>