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GOP Rep Introduces Articles of Impeachment Against War Secretary Hegseth
Confirmed
In Short: Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie introduced articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of violating the War Powers Resolution and suppressing free speech.
Thomas Massie, a Republican representative from Kentucky, introduced articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the House floor, accusing him of high crimes and misdemeanors related to the Iran war, suppressing free speech, and other offenses.
Massie's resolution includes eight articles of impeachment, accusing Hegseth of violating the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which provides a check on the president's power to enter armed conflict without legislative consent.
Massie's move marks the first impeachment effort against a Cabinet member by a lawmaker from the president's own party, and it deepens a dispute between Massie and Hegseth over the administration's war in Iran.
The articles accuse Hegseth of defying Congress during the Iran war, suppressing free speech, and ignoring laws to minimize civilian casualties, among other charges. Massie's resolution is unlikely to pass in the Republican-controlled Congress, and it is unlikely that Hegseth will secure a vote on the articles of impeachment.
What's confirmed
- "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 said.
- Thomas Massie, R-Ky., introduces articles of impeachment against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on the House floor on Tuesday, Sept.
What's still developing
- 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 which critics claimed encourage active military members to disobey lawful orders.
- Also related to military action in the Caribbean and South America, 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.
- The final article charges Hegseth with carrying out unlawful orders in Yemen.
- 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." Fox News Digital contacted Massie's office and the Pentagon for further comment.
- Massie noted that fighting in Iran had continued well past the 60-day maximum, but even after an optional 30-day drawdown period.
- The articles accuse Hegseth of high crimes and misdemeanors in connection with the war in Iran, the Trump administration’s boat strikes in the Caribbean and alleged efforts to suppress free speech during a dispute with Democrats over calls for US troops to refuse illegal orders, Politico reported.
- Hegseth had campaigned against Massie in the Republican primary in May, supporting former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, who defeated Massie.
- "In all of this, Secretary Hegseth has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as Secretary of Defense and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice, and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States of America," Massie said Tuesday on the House floor.