USA16 September, 20262 min read
Thomas Massie Files Impeachment Articles Against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Over Iran War
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Massie filed eight articles of impeachment accusing Hegseth of waging Iran war without congressional authorization. The move aims to compel a House vote on impeachment despite ongoing Iran military actions.
Massie seeks Hegseth impeachment
On Tuesday, Republican U.S. Representative Thomas Massie filed articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of executing hostilities against Iran without approval by Congress.
Massie’s resolution alleges Hegseth “followed orders to continue operations despite Congress’ constitutional authority over Iran war,” and it also accuses him of unauthorized military actions in Venezuela and Yemen, including an alleged operation to capture then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The maneuver is tied to House attempts to restrict the administration’s military campaign in Iran, after lawmakers approved war powers resolutions in June and July calling on the president to end U.S. hostilities with Tehran.
The House must consider Massie’s resolution within two legislative days, though GOP leaders could instead seek to table it, and the initiative is described as privileged under House rules.
At a press conference, Attorney General Todd Blanche defended Hegseth’s conduct, saying the defense chief is “doing a phenomenal job” and follows the law.
Competing legal narratives
Massie told the House that the secretary of defense’s actions “hampered Congress’s ability to exercise its most solemn constitutional responsibilities,” and he said they permitted an “illegal war” to continue. The resolution is described as eight-article and covers Iran, Venezuela, and Yemen, with one point accusing Hegseth of issuing directives to carry out the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro without obtaining authorization from Congress. In response, Attorney General Todd Blanche rejected characterizing the U.S. military campaign in Iran as a “war,” saying he disagreed with that description and Congress had held votes addressing the issue.
Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson defended Hegseth in an emailed statement, saying “The entire Department is unified behind the Secretary’s vision and will continue working to put our warfighters and America first.” Reuters reported the impeachment resolution is unlikely to pass, but it could force a vote that would be difficult for some fellow Republicans as they prepare to leave Washington before November’s midterm elections.
What happens next
The House is scheduled to consider Massie’s privileged resolution within two legislative days, and Republican leadership could propose pausing it and blocking it from reaching the final vote.
The Hill reported that under the War Powers Resolution, a president must end unauthorized U.S. military involvement within 60 days unless Congress formally declares war or otherwise approves the operation, with an additional 30 days to safely withdraw U.S. troops.
Fox 28 said Massie’s resolution contains eight articles and accused Hegseth of “engaging in hostilities in Iran for more than 90 days without congressional authorization,” while also alleging actions targeting civilian casualties and retaliation against Sen. Mark Kelly.
The Guardian said the articles would head to the Senate if the resolution passed, where Republican leadership would have to decide whether to hold a trial of Hegseth.
NPR reported that the House will have to act on Massie’s proposal by Thursday, as the body is set to leave Washington this week for an extended recess that will end after the midterm elections in November.