Thomas Massie files eight-count impeachment against Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth

Kentucky Republican Congressman Thomas Massie filed an eight-count impeachment measure against U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, accusing him of a central role in initiating a war with Iran and of ordering combat operations without Congressional authorization. Massie said the move could produce a House vote as soon as this week.

Massie cites War Powers breaches

In the articles of impeachment presented to the House, Massie alleges that Hegseth involved American military forces in combat operations against Iran without obtaining the approval of Congress. The complaint lists three alleged violations of the War Powers Resolution of 1973 among its charges.

Massie described his filing as "only a very mild version" of what he expects Democrats to pursue if they take control of both the House and the Senate in January. He also argued that "Hegseth's violations of the Constitution go far beyond an illegal war in Iran."

Hegseth announced he would address the matter publicly in a press conference, his first in several months.

Massie urged President Donald Trump to dismiss Hegseth while he still could secure Senate confirmation for a successor. He said a simple majority in the House — currently controlled by Republicans — would be enough to initiate an impeachment process and send the case to the Senate for trial.

After the November 3 midterm elections, Democrats regained the majority in both the House and the Senate, and the new Congress is scheduled to be sworn in and begin work in January. At present, Republicans hold the majorities in both chambers, and removal from office would require a two-thirds Senate vote, an outcome the complaint said appears unlikely in the current composition of Congress.

Democrats are preparing a series of hearings and investigations aimed at the Trump administration. Hakeem Jeffries, the New York Democrat expected to become Speaker of the House, has identified Hegseth as a target of oversight and said he would "unequivocally" support impeachment. Separately, Vice President J.D. Vance acknowledged after the elections that "the war is the main reason for the defeat," and also said, "We lost the elections because of the war in Iran."

Photo: EPA/JIM LO SCALZO