Eight articles mean Hegseth could face impeachment vote in coming days as House returns
Impeachment effort takes shape
Massie, a Kentucky Republican, introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth in September. House GOP leaders recessed the chamber early, delaying a vote until November. The resolution runs 34 pages and sets out eight articles. Three allege that Hegseth misused Defense Department authority by conducting war against Iran without Congress’s approval.
Massie said Hegseth had shown he would remain a constitutional threat in office. He called for impeachment, a Senate trial, removal and disqualification from future federal office.
Lawmakers weigh their positions
Republican James Comer, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, said there were many questions about Hegseth. French Hill, another Republican from Kentucky, said he wanted to hear the debate before deciding whether impeachment was warranted or another form of discipline was more appropriate.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Sunday that he strongly supported impeachment. With Republicans holding a narrow House majority, however, the measure would need Republican votes to pass. Massie said the question was whether Hegseth had committed impeachable acts, and argued that the answer was yes on all eight counts.
Hegseth rejects the accusations
In a video posted on X last week, Hegseth called the impeachment articles sham efforts and accused his opponents of political theater. He also compared the push to past impeachment efforts against President Trump.
The article says Hegseth could become the third Cabinet secretary impeached. William Belknap, secretary of war, was impeached in 1876 over corruption allegations and acquitted by the Senate. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was impeached by the House in 2024 over the Biden administration’s handling of the southern border; his charges were dismissed.
Key points
- Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth in September.
- Three articles accuse Hegseth of waging war against Iran without congressional authorization.
- Democrats are expected to support impeachment, but Republican votes are needed.
- Belknap was acquitted by the Senate, while Mayorkas’s impeachment charges were dismissed.