Massie Forces Hegseth Impeachment Vote Over 90-Day Iran War

Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, introduced articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the House floor Monday afternoon, a move that requires Speaker Mike Johnson to schedule a vote within two days, according to BBC News. The resolution accuses Hegseth of ordering military action in Iran for more than 90 days without congressional authorization.

"By engaging in hostilities in Iran for more than 90 days without congressional authorization, Secretary Hegseth is breaking the law and must be held accountable," Massie said, per the BBC.

The effort is likely to fail because Republicans retain control of both chambers until January, the BBC reported. But Massie, who lost his re-election bid earlier this year, said the point is to pressure President Donald Trump to remove Hegseth before Democrats take control of Congress and launch their own proceedings.

Why Is Massie Pushing Impeachment Now?

Massie first introduced impeachment articles in September and renewed the push after Republicans lost the House and Senate in last week's midterm elections, according to the BBC. "My effort to impeach Secretary Hegseth is a much gentler version of what's coming when the Democrats assume control of the House and Senate next year," Massie said in a statement cited by the BBC. "They will hold hearings and trials." He added that "President Trump should replace Secretary Hegseth now while he can still get a replacement confirmed in the Senate."

What Other Allegations Does Massie Make?

Beyond the Iran war-powers dispute, Massie has accused Hegseth of intimidating critics of the administration, of involvement in the abduction of foreign leaders and of ignoring House-passed war powers resolutions on Iran, the BBC reported. The House has passed such resolutions multiple times this year with Massie's support, though they have not stopped the military action, now in its ninth month, according to the outlet.

Can the Impeachment Vote Actually Succeed?

Impeaching a cabinet secretary is exceptionally rare. The House has voted to impeach only two cabinet members in U.S. history, and the Senate did not convict either one, per the BBC. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Sunday he is a "hard yes" on impeachment, the BBC reported, but Massie would still need Republican votes to pass the resolution while his party controls the chamber.

How Has Hegseth Responded?

Hegseth dismissed concern about the resolution Monday and said he would address it directly. "We're not worried about that," he told reporters, adding he would hold a news conference Tuesday morning "on that very topic," according to the BBC. It would be his first news conference since May.

What Happens Next in the House?

With the resolution formally on the floor, Johnson has two days to schedule action under House rules, the BBC reported. Lawmakers can vote on the articles directly, refer the measure to committee, or move to set it aside — procedural options that will determine whether the impeachment question reaches a floor vote at all before Democrats take the gavel in January.