US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces the possibility of impeachment after Republican Congressman Thomas Massie introduced a resolution to remove him from office, accusing him of unlawful wars in Iran and Venezuela, disregard for the US Constitution, and failure to protect civilians. The House of Representatives has the sole power of impeachment under the US Constitution, and officials can be removed for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." If a majority of the House votes to impeach Hegseth, the Senate will decide whether to acquit or convict him. The allegations against Hegseth include waging unlawful wars in Iran and Venezuela, disregard for international law, and attempts to undermine Congress's oversight authority.
Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment on Monday, which accuse Hegseth of violating the War Powers Resolution by waging war without congressional approval, systematically failing to protect civilians, and attempting to subject Congress's speech and oversight activities to the will and discretion of the Department of Defense. Massie claimed that Hegseth chose to carry out unlawful orders issued by President Trump, including attacking Iran and conducting strikes on boats in the Caribbean since 2025. The impeachment resolution also alleges that Hegseth fostered a culture hostile to the law of armed conflict and the protection of civilians and dismissed a claim that the Minab school strike was a mistake caused by the fog of war.
Hegseth has struck a defiant tone, arguing that the conflicts he oversaw were "lawful military operations" and criticizing Massie for attempting to impeach him over policy disagreements. He castigated Massie for trying to remove him from office without giving him an opportunity to present his defense or for passing legislation to address their differences. If Hegseth is impeached, he would be the second head of the US military to face such a fate since William Belknap was impeached for bribery in 1876. The outcome of the impeachment proceedings remains uncertain, as top Democrats have expressed support for the resolution, while President Trump has voiced his backing for Hegseth.