USA · updated 1h ago · 3 min read
Thomas Massie Seeks Impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Over Iran War
Massie filed eight impeachment articles accusing Hegseth of unauthorized Iran war. He seeks to force a House vote on the impeachment resolution.
Whether the Iran campaign should be called ‘war'.
7 of 8 outlets skipped it: massie read articles aloud immediately after House convened at noon.
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Anadolu Ajansı
“He also rejected the characterization of the US military campaign in Iran as a “war,””Read the original ↗
New York Post
“You called it a war. I disagree with that characterization, as does most of Congress.”Read the original ↗
The legal label can shape whether War Powers arguments fully apply.
Massie forces impeachment vote
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., introduced a resolution on Tuesday seeking to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the Iran war, accusing Hegseth of “engaging in hostilities in Iran for more than 90 days without congressional authorization.”
“engaging in hostilities in Iran for more than 90 days without congressional authorization”
The Anadolu Ajansı report says Massie’s resolution alleges Hegseth “followed orders to continue operations despite Congress’ constitutional authority over Iran war,” after House attempts in June and July to restrict the administration’s military campaign in Iran.A
Reuters reported that Massie filed the impeachment articles as privileged, meaning the House must take them up within two legislative days, and that the maneuver could force a vote that is difficult for some Republicans as they prepare to leave Washington before November’s midterm elections.
The Hill described the resolution as privileged under House rules, forcing a floor vote within two days, and said Massie argued Hegseth violated “his oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States” and “his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, especially with regard to the commission of war.”
Blanche defends, Democrats wait
Attorney General Todd Blanche defended Hegseth’s conduct, telling reporters the defense chief is “doing a phenomenal job” and follows the law, while also rejecting the characterization of the US military campaign in Iran as a “war.”
Anadolu Ajansı reported that Blanche said the Justice Department plays an active role in ensuring the administration’s actions comply with legal requirements and argued Congress had held votes addressing the issue.A
The Guardian said Massie’s proposal may put House Republicans in a bind just weeks before the 3 November midterm elections, where they are defending their control of Congress, and it quoted Massie saying, “By engaging in hostilities in Iran for more than 90 days without congressional authorization, Secretary Hegseth is breaking the law and must be held accountable.”
The Guardian also said the articles must be voted on by Thursday under House rules, and it described the resolution as outlining eight alleged violations, including “ignoring” laws to minimize civilian casualties and citing a US strike on a school in Minab, Iran that killed more than 168 people.
Reuters said the allegations have not been adjudicated and that Hegseth and the Defense Department had not immediately responded to Massie’s announcement.
What’s at stake next
Massie’s resolution, according to Fox 28 | Other, contains eight articles of impeachment that accuse Hegseth of violating the 1973 War Powers Resolution by initiating and continuing the Iran conflict without a declaration of war or statutory authorization, and by continuing hostilities after Congress directed the removal of U.S. forces.
“engaging in hostilities in Iran for more than 90 days without congressional authorization”
Fox 28 | Other further says the remaining articles allege unauthorized military actions in Venezuela and Yemen, including an alleged operation to capture then-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and it also accuses Hegseth of retaliating against Sen. Mark Kelly in violation of free-speech protections.
The Guardian said the proposal could move to the Senate if it passed, where Republican leadership would have to decide whether to hold a trial of Hegseth, and it described the articles as likely to attract many Democratic votes in the House.
USA Today reported that Massie accused Hegseth of being a “threat to the Constitution” for continuing the war in Iran and argued the 60- to 90-day legal deadline for the U.S. military to withdraw forces from Iran would be May 1—or June 1 at the latest.
Reuters added that polls show the war that began with February 28 attacks on Iran by U.S. and Israeli forces is unpopular with voters, and that Trump’s Republicans face an uphill struggle to keep control of the House and Senate on November 3.