The House of Representatives is expected to return to Washington on Monday to reconvene for the final weeks of the Republican-controlled Congress. As members prepare to resume work, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth may face a vote on articles of impeachment within days. The move is fueled by growing frustration from both parties regarding the administration's handling of the war with Iran and the significant losses Republicans suffered in the recent midterm elections.
The push to remove the defense secretary from office began before the midterms highlighted voter concerns about the conflict and its impact on the cost of living. In September, Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massie introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth. At the time, House Republican leaders chose to recess the chamber early, delaying any vote on the matter until November.
According to a source familiar with the effort, Massie is expected to introduce updated impeachment articles on Monday. This action is intended to comply with parliamentary procedure and will restart a two-day clock for Republican leaders to schedule a floor vote. The original resolution spanned 34 pages and included eight articles of impeachment.
The accusations against Hegseth center on high crimes and misdemeanors, with three articles focusing on the abuse of Department of Defense powers by waging war against Iran without congressional authorization. Other articles allege that Hegseth ignored laws designed to minimize civilian casualties, specifically citing a strike on an Iranian school earlier this year. Additional charges point to Pentagon boat strikes in the Caribbean and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
One article addresses free speech issues, referencing the Pentagon's scrutiny of Senator Mark Kelly. Kelly was part of a group of lawmakers who released a video calling on service members to refuse illegal orders. Massie argued that Hegseth has demonstrated he remains a threat to the Constitution if allowed to stay in office, acting in a manner grossly incompatible with his duties and the rule of law.
Hegseth has publicly criticized the effort, noting that Massie is leaving Congress after losing his primary earlier this year. In a video posted on X last week, Hegseth described the articles as a sham, comparing the move to previous attempts against President Trump. He stated that the opposition's obsession with political theater drives them to try to destroy their opponents, a strategy he believes will not work with him.
The level of Republican support remains uncertain, though some members appear more open to the prospect following their party's midterm losses. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer told News Nation that there are many questions about Hegseth's strategy in Iran. Comer suggested that Republican voters may be more upset about the situation in Iran than Democratic voters are.
Arkansas Representative French Hill said he is still considering whether to support the effort. He indicated he wants to hear the debate to determine if the situation merits impeachment or some other disciplinary action. Hill noted that not thinking a secretary has done a good job does not necessarily mean they have committed an impeachable offense.
Democrats are widely expected to support the impeachment. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on ABC's This Week that he is a hard yes on the effort. However, because the Republican majority in the House is narrow, votes from some GOP members will be required to pass the resolution.
If impeached, Hegseth would become the third Cabinet secretary in history to face such proceedings. William Belknap, the Secretary of War, was impeached in 1876 over corruption allegations but was acquitted by the Senate. Alejandro Mayorkas, the Homeland Security Secretary, was impeached in 2024 by the GOP-controlled House over the handling of the southern border, and his charges were subsequently dismissed.
