Details of impeachment articles against Pete Hegseth set up House vote
Eight allegations in resolution
Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, filed the resolution on Monday. It accuses Hegseth of high crimes and misdemeanors and contains eight specific charges.
Hegseth and Trump respond
In a video released last Thursday, Hegseth defended his record and called Massie’s effort “sham articles of impeachment.” He said attempts to impeach him would fail, adding, “Didn’t work against President Trump and it won’t work with me.” Trump voiced support for Hegseth during an impromptu briefing with reporters on Monday. “I’ll stand by him,” Trump said, adding, “He won two wars. He was in charge. We all won.”
Massie explains his effort
Massie has been a longtime critic of Hegseth. During the Republican primary, Hegseth campaigned for Ed Gallrein, who later defeated Massie. After Hegseth called him a “disgruntled defeated congressman,” Massie told reporters, “I’m a defeated congressman. I’m not disgruntled.” He said impeachment amounts to firing someone and argued that the effort highlights whether Congress has meaningful war powers.
War powers remain disputed
Massie said the question of Congress’s authority to litigate war powers is part of the reason for pursuing impeachment. The article says presidents from both parties have largely ignored the War Powers Resolution. The resolution is set for a House vote in the next two days.
Key points
- Massie reintroduced impeachment articles against Hegseth, with a House vote expected within two days.
- The resolution sets out eight charges, including three related to Iran.
- Trump said he would stand by Hegseth, who called the impeachment effort a sham.
- Massie said the case raises questions about Congress’s war powers.