Hegseth facing impeachment: inside 8 articles on Iran, Maduro and more

A difficult path to passage

Massie accuses Hegseth of a broad range of high crimes and misdemeanors. The outcome is uncertain, with some Republicans upset about the administration’s handling of the Iran war, particularly after GOP losses in the midterm elections.

House Republican leaders have vowed to defeat the resolution. But attendance problems involving members who lost their elections could create an opening for it to pass.

Dispute over Iran authority

In June, both chambers approved a measure ordering the administration to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran. The resolution calls this the first time such a measure had passed both chambers. It alleges Hegseth continued directing U.S. forces into hostilities on June 26, 2026.

Trump notified Congress of hostilities on March 2, making May 1 the end of the 60-day period. The administration said that day that hostilities had “terminated,” while Hegseth told senators the ceasefire paused or stopped the clock. The impeachment article also alleges he continued the war to pursue military objectives Congress had not authorized.

Civilian safeguards and boat strikes

The fourth article alleges Hegseth dismantled Pentagon systems Congress had established to reduce civilian casualties. It links his actions to a February strike on an Iranian school during the first wave of attacks, which Iranian media reported killed about 170 civilians, mostly children. The United States has not directly accepted responsibility.

The resolution cites cuts to civilian-casualty staff, the firing of the military’s top lawyers and Hegseth’s comments about “stupid rules of engagement.” It alleges the removal of safeguards led to civilian deaths. The fifth article concerns strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. The resolution says at least 243 people have been killed since September 2025 and cites a second strike on the same boat during the campaign’s first attack, on Sept. 2, 2025.

Kelly and Maduro allegations

The sixth article accuses Hegseth of retaliating against Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona for constitutionally protected speech. Hegseth censured Kelly and threatened to reduce his rank, a move that would have lowered his retirement benefits; a federal judge blocked it.