US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing a new political challenge after Republican Representative Thomas Massie introduced articles of impeachment against him. The move has placed the Pentagon chief under pressure as he prepares to hold his first major news conference at the department since May. The proposed impeachment follows growing criticism of the Trump administration’s military actions and the political cost of the war with Iran.
Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, filed the resolution on Monday. It focuses mainly on the war against Iran but also refers to military operations involving Yemen’s Houthi movement and Venezuela. Massie argues that Hegseth’s actions amount to serious abuses of power and that the defense secretary should be held accountable for decisions made by the administration.
The move is unusual because Massie belongs to Trump’s own party. His decision comes after Republicans suffered major losses in the midterm elections, with the Iran conflict and its effect on fuel prices becoming important issues for voters. The resolution could force lawmakers to take a public position on the administration’s military policy.
Hegseth has rejected the criticism and said he is ready to defend the actions taken by the Pentagon. He has argued that the military operations were necessary and that criticism of the administration should not be treated as an attack on American service members. He has also used social media to challenge the impeachment effort, describing it as politically motivated.
President Donald Trump has continued to support Hegseth. The president has praised the military’s performance and said the war with Iran is effectively over from a military perspective. However, US forces remain active in the region, and tensions over shipping and nuclear negotiations have not fully disappeared.
The House could vote on the impeachment resolution during the week, although its chances of advancing remain uncertain. Even if it passes, the next steps would depend on the Senate and the political balance in Congress.
The dispute adds another layer of pressure to an administration already dealing with the consequences of the midterm results. It also raises wider questions about congressional authority over military action and the limits of presidential power.
