Massie files eight impeachment articles against Hegseth, who says he is not worried

Massie files the articles

Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky filed articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday, 9 November, reading the charges one by one to a nearly empty House chamber. The resolution carries eight articles and centres on the war with Iran, which Massie says Hegseth pursued for more than 90 days without congressional approval. Massie first tabled a resolution in September, but it stalled after Speaker Mike Johnson adjourned the House early ahead of the midterm elections. With members back in the Capitol, Massie refiled an updated version to restart the formal process. The House is expected to vote on it by Wednesday, 11 November.

What the eight articles allege

Three of the articles concern the Iran campaign and the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which Massie says Hegseth breached by continuing hostilities beyond the time limits set by US law, despite decisions by both chambers of Congress. Other counts accuse the defense secretary of disregarding rules meant to limit civilian casualties, including a strike on an Iranian school earlier in the year. Massie also points to deaths in US military operations against vessels in the Caribbean that were allegedly linked to drug trafficking, putting the toll at at least 243 and denouncing attacks on survivors. The charges further cover pressure applied to Senator Mark Kelly after his public remarks on illegal military orders, the operation to capture Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, without constitutional or legal authorization, and a military operation in Yemen.

Hegseth and the White House response

Hegseth played down the threat on Monday, saying he was not worried about that when asked whether he had enough Republican backing to defeat the charges. He said he was ready to defend his work at the Pentagon, and he is expected to address the matter at a press conference on Tuesday, 10 November. Donald Trump has expressed full support for him. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking to reporters, called the impeachment unfair, saying he works with Hegseth almost daily and admires his professionalism and work ethic.

Democrats divided on how far to go

Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, said on Sunday, 8 November, on ABC's This Week that he fully backs the impeachment. He accused Hegseth of abusing his authority, undermining national security and designing a costly war with Iran that has driven up prices for Americans, and said he would discuss the issue with colleagues on Tuesday. Brad Lander, a newly elected progressive who is set to be sworn in on 3 January, took a more cautious line. He urged Democrats to advance their long list of legislative priorities first, and he named Hegseth, FBI Director Kash Patel and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as officials to target before any move against Trump.

The road ahead

The House needs only a simple majority to approve the resolution. If all Democrats, Massie and a small number of Republicans vote in favour, Hegseth would be sent to the Senate for trial. Removal is a far harder task, because conviction requires a two-thirds majority, which means roughly 20 Republican senators would also have to vote against him. The move comes after Republicans suffered a heavy defeat in the 2026 midterms, and several party members are looking for reasons behind the loss, with a number of them turning on Hegseth.