Massie to Reintroduce Articles Impeaching Hegseth

Rep. Thomas Massie plans to reintroduce a privileged resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as early as Monday. The measure contains eight articles of impeachment, a move that will force the House to bring the matter to the floor within two legislative days under existing rules. This timeline compels the Republican majority to vote on or table the resolution following their midterm losses.

Massie originally introduced the articles in mid-September. Speaker Mike Johnson canceled the final day of legislative business before the election, preventing a vote at that time. Massie stated on Sept. 16 that the articles would expire and that he would have to refile them upon the House's return. He noted that new actions by Hegseth could potentially expand the list of charges.

The eight articles range from waging war without congressional consent to suppressing free speech. Massie, a seven-term conservative who lost his primary earlier this summer, has not amended the text since the initial filing. His push has gained momentum as some Republicans attribute the party’s electoral setbacks to the Iran conflict and Hegseth’s management of it.

A simple majority in the House is required for the resolution to pass. With Democrats expected to vote in favor, Massie estimates that only three Republicans need to break ranks to secure the required votes. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries described his support as a "hard yes" on ABC News' "This Week" on Sunday. Several Republicans, including retiring Rep. Don Bacon, have signaled they are weighing the decision, with Bacon noting that Hegseth has made "some bad mistakes."

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has not backed the effort, though Massie pointed to ongoing questions regarding Hegseth's strategy in Iran. GOP leaders may move to table the resolution, a procedural vote that also requires a simple majority. If the House approves the articles, the measure proceeds to the Senate, where a two-thirds supermajority is needed for conviction.

President Donald Trump has said he intends to keep Hegseth in his role. Hegseth addressed the impeachment effort in a video posted Thursday, comparing the process to the two attempts against Trump. He described the initiative as an effort by a "disgruntled, defeated congressman" and his allies, while reaffirming his stance on the Iran war and Pentagon cultural policies.