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By Hannah Parry
Associate News Editor
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed a renewed effort to impeach him as a political "farce" and an act of "sabotage," as Congress prepares to consider a resolution alleging abuses of power related to U.S. military operations in Iran, Venezuela, Yemen and international waters.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth on Monday, setting up a potentially consequential confrontation within the Republican Party.
The House is scheduled to consider a procedural motion at approximately 5:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday. The initial vote will determine whether Massie's resolution can advance or is blocked through a procedural maneuver.
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Massie has said that if lawmakers defeat the effort to block the resolution, the House will proceed to consider the actual articles of impeachment.
The renewed push comes amid growing scrutiny of Hegseth's leadership of the Pentagon, the administration's military campaign in Iran and allegations outlined in Massie's impeachment resolution concerning U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.
In a rare Pentagon press conference Tuesday morning, Hegseth mounted an aggressive defense of his record, accusing Massie of undermining American military personnel.
In a statement to reporters, Hegseth said the impeachment articles "mock the Constitution, they attack the chain of command, and they criminalize the warfighters who execute lawful orders."
He argued that the effort sends a dangerous message to American adversaries, including Iran and drug cartels in Latin America, by suggesting that American military personnel and civilian leadership could face punishment for carrying out military operations.
"This is not patriotism. This is sabotage," Hegseth said.
President Donald Trump quickly reinforced his support for the defense secretary, praising his performance at the Pentagon briefing.
"Pete Hegseth gets an 'A' PLUS, PLUS, PLUS for his defense against a disgruntled, angry, defeated, former Congressman, Thomas Massie, a TOTAL LOSER!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. Trump has vowed to stand by Hegseth throughout any impeachment proceedings.
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What Happens in Congress Today?
Tuesday's vote will test whether Republicans are willing to shield Hegseth politically or allow the impeachment process to advance.
The first vote is procedural rather than a final determination of whether Hegseth should be impeached. Lawmakers are expected to consider a motion that could send the resolution to committee or otherwise prevent it from advancing.
Massie has urged Republicans to allow a full debate on the allegations.
If the procedural effort fails, the House could move to consideration of the eight articles, followed by a vote on whether to impeach Hegseth.
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Massie has insisted that his effort is not simply symbolic, despite the substantial obstacles to removing Hegseth from office.
"It's not symbolic," Massie said. "It's not a policy disagreement."
He added that the practical effect of the effort is that "everybody's wondering when Pete Hegseth is going to leave."
Republicans still control both chambers during the lame-duck period, but Democrats are preparing to assume control of Congress in January following their midterm victories. Massie has argued that Trump should remove Hegseth before Republicans lose their congressional majority.
Massie: Iran War Has Continued for 256 Days Without Authorization
Massie escalated his criticism of Hegseth on Tuesday, arguing that the defense secretary violated the War Powers Resolution by continuing military operations in Iran without congressional authorization.
In a new post on X, Massie highlighted the third article of impeachment, which specifically concerns Section 5(b) of the 1973 War Powers Resolution.
"IMPEACHMENT, Article III," Massie wrote. "The law requires our military to withdraw from hostilities within 60 days if Congress does not authorize the activity. Operation Epic Fury has been underway for 256 days. Congress has not authorized it.
"Hegseth is breaking the law," he continued. "Not even debatable."
The argument is central to Massie's impeachment case. Under Section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution, the president generally must terminate the use of U.S. forces within 60 days of submitting, or being required to submit, a report to Congress on their introduction into hostilities, unless Congress authorizes the operation, extends the deadline by law, or another statutory exception applies.
The law also provides for a possible additional 30-day period in limited circumstances involving the safety of U.S. forces and their prompt withdrawal.
Massie's resolution alleges that the administration's 60-day period expired on May 1 and that even the potential additional 30-day withdrawal period expired on June 1.
The White House and Pentagon have defended the administration's military actions.
What Are the Eight Articles of Impeachment Against Pete Hegseth?
Massie's resolution outlines eight separate allegations of misconduct, ranging from the administration's military campaign against Iran to civilian casualties, alleged extrajudicial killings and retaliation against a sitting senator.
The eight articles are:
1. Waging War in Contravention of the War Powers Resolution of 1973, Section 2(c)
Massie alleges that Hegseth directed U.S. military forces into hostilities against Iran on February 28, 2026, without a congressional declaration of war, specific statutory authorization or a national emergency resulting from an attack on the United States.
The article argues that the administration lacked the constitutional authority to initiate the military campaign and that Hegseth knowingly implemented unlawful orders.
2. Waging War in Contravention of the War Powers Resolution of 1973, Section 5(c)
This article focuses on Congress's alleged attempt to terminate U.S. involvement in the Iran conflict.
Massie cites House Concurrent Resolution 86, which he says passed both chambers in June 2026, directing the withdrawal of American forces from unauthorized hostilities in Iran.
He alleges Hegseth continued military operations despite Congress's direction.
3. Waging War in Contravention of the War Powers Resolution of 1973, Section 5(b)
Massie argues that the administration continued military operations in Iran beyond the War Powers Resolution's 60-day statutory period and a potential additional 30-day withdrawal period. The article alleges that Hegseth continued directing military operations after the relevant deadlines expired without congressional authorization.
4. Ignoring Laws That Minimize Civilian Casualties
This article accuses Hegseth of dismantling or weakening Pentagon systems designed to prevent civilian casualties.
Massie cites alleged reductions in civilian-harm mitigation personnel, the elimination of funding for casualty-tracking systems, changes to legal oversight and the removal of senior military lawyers.
The article focuses particularly on a February 28 U.S. strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, Iran, which the resolution alleges killed or injured more than 200 civilians, including children.
It argues that the department's weakened civilian-protection safeguards contributed to the disaster.
5. Extrajudicial Killings
Massie alleges that Hegseth authorized a campaign of lethal military strikes against vessels suspected of transporting narcotics in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.
The article alleges that at least 221 people were killed in the campaign and accuses the defense secretary of bypassing established maritime law-enforcement procedures in favor of military strikes.
It also raises allegations involving secondary strikes against shipwrecked survivors and failures to rescue people left at sea.
6. Suppressing Free Speech
This article concerns Hegseth's treatment of Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain and former astronaut.
Massie alleges that Hegseth used the Department of Defense to retaliate against Kelly after the senator participated in a November 2025 video that, according to the impeachment resolution, told military personnel they could refuse unlawful orders.
The article cites a Pentagon threat to recall Kelly to active duty, a subsequent letter of censure and warnings of possible further administrative or criminal action.
Massie argues that the actions violated Kelly's First Amendment rights and interfered with congressional oversight.
7. Kidnapping of a Sovereign Foreign Leader
Massie accuses Hegseth of directing the January 3, 2026, military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
The article alleges that Operation Absolute Resolve constituted an unauthorized act of war against a sovereign nation and that the operation went beyond narcotics enforcement, involving broader objectives concerning Venezuelan political control and oil resources.
8. Unlawful War in Yemen
The final article concerns Operation Rough Rider, the U.S. military campaign against Houthi targets in Yemen in 2025.
Massie alleges that Hegseth directed more than 1,100 strikes over approximately 52 days without the necessary congressional authorization or an imminent threat to the United States.
The article also cites a leaked Signal conversation involving senior administration officials, including Hegseth, in which participants discussed the timing and strategic rationale for the operation.
Massie argues that the discussion demonstrated that the campaign was not driven by an immediate threat to American security.
Hegseth Gets Backing From Trump, JD Vance and Johnson
Vice President JD Vance publicly rejected the impeachment effort against Hegseth on Tuesday, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated and arguing that the controversy is rooted in the defense secretary's efforts to overhaul the Pentagon.
"Has Pete Hegseth committed impeachable crimes? The question is absurd and the answer is: obviously not," Vance wrote in a post on X Tuesday.
Vance accused lawmakers of using impeachment as a substitute for legislative action, arguing that Congress has other tools available to express disagreements with the administration. "Legislation is hard. Impeachments are easy (and ultimately, inconsequential)," he wrote.
The vice president also offered a different explanation for the Republican criticism of Hegseth, suggesting that it stems from the defense secretary's efforts to change the Pentagon's institutional structure.
"The irony is that legislators are most angry at Pete on the issues where he's most correct: repositioning forces away from Europe/Ukraine and reorganizing the general officer corps," Vance wrote. "This isn't about Iran, this is about the fact that Pete took on the bureaucracy at the Pentagon."
Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson attacked Massie for bringing the articles of impeachment.
"I think Secretary Hegseth did an extraordinary job," Johnson told reporters, adding that he had watched most of the Pentagon press conference. "I expect that we're going to defeat that one way or the other, and we'll get on with the business."
Johnson also argued that impeaching a Cabinet secretary during an international conflict would send the wrong message to America's adversaries and allies. "The idea that you would impeach the Secretary of War at a time of international conflict sends a terrible message to our enemies and our allies," he said.
He also questioned the basis of the allegations, saying lawmakers had not provided Hegseth with due process.
Trump has also dismissed the impeachment effort.
Republicans Show Signs of Unease Over Hegseth
Despite GOP leadership support, the impeachment effort has exposed divisions among Republicans over Hegseth's leadership.
Outgoing Republican Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska said he was not personally supportive of the impeachment resolution, but acknowledged reservations about the defense secretary.
"It's complicated," Bacon said. "I don't agree with the impeachment itself. If we were allowed to amend it, I'd maybe feel a lot differently." Bacon also said he was not a fan of Hegseth.
Republican Representative Steve Womack of Arkansas has similarly expressed concerns about changes to senior Pentagon leadership, particularly within the U.S. Army, despite planning to vote against impeachment.
"I personally have some concerns with what has happened inside the Pentagon, particularly at the senior leadership level, and particularly as it concerns the U.S. Army," Womack said.
Representative Victoria Spartz, who lost her reelection bid last week, has also indicated that she remains undecided.
There are further signs of Republican frustration over the administration's handling of the Iran war.
Republican Senator Joni Ernst, who leaves Congress in January, criticized the lack of information provided to Congress about the Iran conflict Tuesday.
“I question whether the information that is coming through the secretary out of the Pentagon has been accurate, and the way he is portraying the war to the president,” Ernst said, according to Punchbowl News. “If there is deception coming from our Pentagon and being transmitted to the President, I would want to know that.
"Now, will that be part of this impeachment? I don't know. But I have some serious questions.”
The political pressure comes as public opposition to the Iran war grows. A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted Nov. 6-9 found that 51 percent of Republicans supported Congress passing legislation to end the Iran war.
Democrats Call for Hegseth to Go
Democratic lawmakers have been more openly supportive of Massie's effort.
Representative Gregory Meeks of New York said Hegseth should resign if he is genuinely committed to serving the country.
"If Hegseth was a real patriot, and was listening to the American people, he should resign," Meeks said.
Representative Chris Deluzio also argued that Trump should remove Hegseth, but said Congress has a responsibility to act if the president refuses.
"Trump should fire Hegseth, but if he won't, we have to look out for our troops. We have to look out for our national security, and Congress has to act here."
Representative Pramila Jayapal went further, describing Hegseth as a war criminal.
"Pete Hegseth is a war criminal, and I don't use those words lightly," she said.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has also indicated strong support for the resolution, describing himself as a "hard yes."
Could Hegseth Actually Be Impeached and Removed?
Even if Massie succeeds in getting the resolution through the House, Hegseth's removal from office remains a considerable political challenge. Under the Constitution, impeachment requires a simple majority in the House of Representatives.
If the House approves the articles, the matter would move to the Senate, where a two-thirds majority is required to convict and remove a Cabinet official.
With Republicans holding the Senate during the current Congress, conviction appears highly unlikely. However, Massie's argument is that the political consequences extend beyond the likelihood of removal.
A successful House vote would place Hegseth among the few Cabinet officials ever impeached by the House and create a formal congressional record of the allegations against him.
The prospect of Democratic control of Congress in January adds another dimension.
Massie has described his impeachment effort as a gentler version of what Democrats could pursue when they assume control of Congress next year. If Hegseth remains in office, Democratic lawmakers have already signaled that they intend to investigate his leadership of the Pentagon.
For now, the immediate question is whether enough Republicans are willing to break with Trump and allow Massie's resolution to advance.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Samantha Beech and Rhian Morgan.
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