Now
53°
Tue
60°
Wed
56°
by NATALIA MITTELSTADT | The National News Desk
WASHINGTON (TNND) — Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., said Monday that he will reintroduce impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth when Congress returns after the midterm elections.
The outgoing congressman posted on X a conversation he said he had with a reporter.
"Reporter: Will you reintroduce articles of impeachment against SecDef Hegseth when Congress returns to DC?" Massie wrote.
"Me: If he’s still SecDef."
Massie introduced a resolution to impeach Hegseth in September, but House Speaker Mike Johnson sent representatives home from Washington, D.C., early for campaigning recess ahead of the November elections, delaying the impeachment vote.
The resolution introduced last month contained eight articles of impeachment. The first three allege that Hegseth violated the 1973 War Powers Resolution by initiating and continuing the Iran conflict without a declaration of war or statutory authorization, and by continuing hostilities after Congress directed the removal of U.S. forces.
The remaining articles allege that Hegseth disregarded laws intended to limit civilian casualties; ordered extrajudicial killings in operations targeting suspected drug traffickers; retaliated against Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., in violation of free-speech protections; directed the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, without legal authority; and initiated military operations in Yemen without congressional authorization.
On Monday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries confirmed that Democrats will run Hegseth “out of town” if they take the majority, The Hill reported.
Senate Democrats have suggested Hegseth’s ouster will be the political price for their cooperation on key defense-related measures in the lame-duck session. Some Republicans may assist them, as GOP senators are displeased with Hegseth’s leadership, especially over his ouster of well-respected military leaders.
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told The Hill before the Senate's recess that Hegseth’s resignation could allow for more bipartisan cooperation on the National Defense Authorization Act and the annual defense appropriations bill.
Earlier this month, Massie posted on X, "Trump should fire Hegseth to avoid Hegseth’s impeachment. It’s the honorable thing to do. The House recessed early to avoid the vote, so I will reintroduce Hegseth articles of impeachment when we return for the lame duck session, regardless of the outcome of the midterm election."
In April, House Democrats introduced six articles of impeachment against Hegseth, which alleged that he waged an unauthorized war against Iran.
Massie will not be returning to Congress next term, since he lost his primary election to a challenger backed by President Trump.
2026 Sinclair, Inc.
About the Author
