US President Donald Trump has urged Congress to support Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth after Republican Representative Thomas Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment against him, accusing the Pentagon chief of violating US laws and undermining constitutional safeguards.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Massie as “a total loser” who was attempting to impeach “perhaps the most popular and successful military official in the Country.”
Trump defended Hegseth’s record, claiming that military recruitment had reached an “all-time high” under his leadership and crediting him with what he described as “two victories in Venezuela and Iran.” “Pete Hegseth should be praised, not Impeached,” Trump said.
Hegseth responded to Trump’s support in a post of his own, stating, “Thank you Mr. President. Like you, we will never back down.”
Massie Accuses Hegseth Of Unlawful Military Actions
Massie introduced the impeachment resolution when the House of Representatives opened its first session after the midterm elections on Monday, renewing a proposal he had initially raised in September.
Reading from the resolution on the House floor, the outgoing Kentucky lawmaker accused Hegseth of carrying out unlawful orders, violating the Constitution and posing a threat to the country’s constitutional system.
The eight articles include allegations relating to the US war on Iran, military strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, the operation that led to the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, restrictions on media access to the Pentagon and military operations against Yemen’s Houthi movement.
Massie asserted that Hegseth helped conduct the war on Iran without congressional authorisation, contrary to requirements under the War Powers Resolution.
The resolution also accuses the Defence Secretary of cultivating what Massie described as a “warmaking culture” that disregarded rules of engagement and contributed to civilian casualties.
Among the incidents cited is the US bombing of a school in Minab, Iran, which reportedly killed more than 150 people, including approximately 120 children, at the start of the US-Israel war in February.
The resolution further alleges that US strikes on suspected narcotics vessels failed to observe mandatory safeguards and amounted to extrajudicial killings.
Other allegations concern the operation to capture Maduro, restrictions on press access to the Pentagon and the legality of US military action against the Houthis in Yemen.
Speaking at a news conference on Monday, Massie said that he would welcome support from lawmakers who wanted Hegseth removed, including those who might not have examined the full resolution.
“I understand that some of them just want to vote for this because they just want to see Hegseth gone. I welcome their vote.”
Thomas Massie
He also urged Hegseth to resign before Democrats take control of Congress in January, arguing that the incoming majority would pursue investigations into the Trump administration, including the management of the Defence Department, now known as the Department of War.
Massie has frequently criticised the Trump administration, particularly its decision to go to war with Iran. His opposition has drawn repeated criticism from the President, who backed a rival Republican candidate in the primary election that defeated Massie earlier this year.
Hegseth Remains Defiant
Hegseth, meanwhile, has rejected the criticism, telling reporters that he welcomes the opportunity to defend his actions before Congress. He said, “There’s a lot of politically motivated people who may have substantial policy disagreements, but their disagreements are with success.” He added, “If we want to litigate” the military actions taken by the Trump administration, “I’m happy to do it all day long.” He is expected to hold a news conference today.
Impeachment Faces Political And Constitutional Hurdles
The impeachment effort faces significant obstacles under the current congressional balance of power.
A simple majority in the 435-member House of Representatives would be required to approve articles of impeachment against Hegseth. If impeached, he would then face a Senate trial, where a two-thirds majority of the 100-member chamber would be needed to convict and remove him from office.
The measure is unlikely to pass while Republicans retain control of Congress. However, the political pressure on Hegseth could increase when the newly elected Democratic lawmakers take office in January.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is expected to become Speaker when Democrats assume control of the House, has already expressed support for Hegseth’s impeachment. “The so-called Secretary of defence has abused his power, undermined our national security, and engineered this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran,” Jeffries said.
Although Democrats are expected to hold approximately 54 seats in the Senate, that would remain below the 67 votes required to convict and remove Hegseth.
The impeachment initiative therefore places Hegseth at the centre of an intensifying political dispute over the Trump administration’s military decisions and the extent of congressional oversight of executive war powers.
As Democrats prepare to take control of the House, the allegations could become part of wider congressional investigations into the administration’s conduct of military operations and the management of the Pentagon.
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