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Rep. Massie Introduces Impeachment Resolution Against Defense Secretary Hegseth
· Confirmed
In Short: Republican Rep. Thomas Massie introduced a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of high crimes and misdemeanors.
Secretary Pete Hegseth official portrait (cropped).
Rep. Massie unveils impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Hegseth. NBC News
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky introduced a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, alleging that Hegseth had committed high crimes and misdemeanors, including illegal prosecution of the war in Iran and withholding aid to Ukraine.
Hegseth dismissed the impeachment effort as a political stunt, arguing that it was based on policy disagreements rather than high crimes or misdemeanors. At a Pentagon press conference, Hegseth stated, 'One disgruntled congressman wants to shred it over policy disagreements. That's what it is: policy disagreements, not high crimes, not misdemeanors, not treason, not bribery, not the kinds of offenses the founders intended when they wrote the impeachment clause.'
Massie's 34-page resolution asserts that Hegseth has been prosecuting the war in Iran for 256 days without congressional authorization, which exceeds the 60-day maximum allowed under the War Powers Resolution. Massie introduced the resolution on Tuesday, asserting that Hegseth had illegally prosecuted the Iran war past the 60-day maximum for conflict without lawmakers' approval.
The articles of impeachment also accuse Hegseth of overstepping his authority during the ongoing U.S. military actions in the Caribbean and alleged efforts to suppress free speech during a dispute with Democrats over calls for U.S. Troops to refuse illegal orders.
Hegseth's defense of the war in Iran comes after about 60% of voters said the U.S. Made the 'wrong decision' in taking military action against Iran, according to The AP Voter Poll, a survey of more than 100,000 voters in the United States.
Some Democrats argue that any impeachment effort should follow a detailed investigation by the congressional committee responsible for Pentagon oversight. However, Republican Congressman Don Bacon questioned Massie's reasoning but argued that Hegseth deserved impeachment for withholding aid to Ukraine and forcing out or blocking promotions for around 80 senior military officers.
President Donald Trump praised Hegseth’s performance at the briefing in a social media post, while Vice President JD Vance said in his own post that the impeachment effort is 'a ridiculous show that stands in for actual policymaking.' Trump told reporters that he would not abandon his defense chief if Hegseth is impeached, declaring he had done a 'good job' and 'won' wars in Venezuela and Iran.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., this week told CNN's Kaitlan Collins that he had kept his impeachment articles against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth from party leaders until he read it aloud on the House floor.
Background
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed the impeachment effort against him as a political stunt, calling it a farce and a stunt.
Top Democrats are rallying behind Republican Rep. Thomas Massie's effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, signaling more action to come in January.
What's confirmed
- "One disgruntled congressman wants to shred it over policy disagreements. That's what it is: policy disagreements, not high crimes, not misdemeanors, not treason, not bribery, not the kinds of offenses the founders intended when they wrote the impeachment clause," Hegseth said at a Pentagon press conference Tuesday morning.
- Hegseth rebuked the effort Tuesday in his first news conference in months, portraying Massie as a rogue lawmaker and arguing he had committed none of the high crimes required in the Constitution for his removal.
- Massie’s 34-page resolution accuses Hegseth of overstepping his authority during the ongoing U.S.
What's still developing
- If impeached, Hegseth would be the second head of the US military to meet that fate since William Belknap, who was impeached for bribery in 1876.
- Trump threw his support behind Hegseth on Monday, declaring he had done a "good job" and "won" wars in Venezuela and Iran -- referring to the lightning raid that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in January, and the unresolved eight-month conflict with Tehran. Asked what would happen if Hegseth is impeached, Trump told reporters: "Yeah, I'll stand by him."
- Massie has a resolution with eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth, who is staring down consternation at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue in the wake of Tuesday’s Democratic victories.
- The full scope of the allegations is detailed in Massie's resolution, as reported by Inside Defense.
- According to the Pentagon, Hegseth has slashed bureaucracy, unleashed innovation, and delivered results for warfighters.
Sources
- AFPlink
- Al Jazeeralink
- Fox Newslink
- Kaaltvlink
- Newindianexpresslink
- Newslink
- Kwhnlink
- Wtoplink
- Everettpostlink
- Wrallink
- Enlink
- Justthenewslink
- Deltaplexnewslink
- Wgylink
- Themarysuelink
- WarpBeat — background on Hegseth Slams Impeachment Bid as Farce link
- NBC News — video link
- CBS News — video link
- Reuters — video link
- CBS New York — video link
- FOX 5 New York — video link
- MS NOW — video link