Massie Files Impeachment Resolution Against Defense Secretary Hegseth

Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky filed a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, forcing the House of Representatives to hold a vote within two days. Massie charged Hegseth with high crimes and misdemeanors, citing the Pentagon’s operations in Iran, a series of boat strikes in the Caribbean, and disputes over free speech. The resolution is privileged under House rules, allowing it to bypass the usual committee process and require a full chamber vote.

Massie said Hegseth violated his oath to support and defend the Constitution and failed to conduct the law faithfully, especially regarding the commission of war. He also accused the Secretary of abusing the powers of the Department of Defense. The move marks a historic first in which a lawmaker from the same party targets a Cabinet member with impeachment articles.

The dispute has personal roots. In May, Hegseth traveled to Kentucky to campaign for Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL who challenged Massie in the Republican primary. During the visit, the Defense Secretary criticized Massie, saying that “at some point, being against everything becomes an excuse for accomplishing nothing.” Gallrein won the primary, ending Massie’s reelection bid.

The vote adds tension to an already fraught political landscape. Democrats had introduced their own impeachment resolution in April, led by Representative Yassamin Ansari over Iran policy and classified‑information handling, but many Democrats argue that any removal should follow formal committee investigations. House Republicans also face a complex vote before the midterm elections, and the War Powers Resolution requires presidents to end unauthorized military engagements within 60 days unless Congress provides formal authorization or a 30‑day withdrawal extension.

Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson defended the administration’s record, saying that standards and merit are back, the arsenal is stronger than ever, and morale and recruitment across every service are at all‑time highs. Wilson added that the Department of War is better under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth’s leadership, and that the entire Department is unified behind the Secretary’s vision to put warfighters and America first.