Washington: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces a possible impeachment vote in the House of Representatives this week after Republican Congressman Thomas Massie introduced eight articles accusing him of conducting military operations against Iran without congressional authorization and of abusing his authority.
Massie, who represents Kentucky, formally introduced the resolution on Monday, triggering a congressional procedure that could bring the matter to a vote by Wednesday.
The impeachment effort comes amid growing divisions within the Republican Party following its losses in the November 3 midterm elections, which gave Democrats control of both chambers of Congress from January.
Although Republicans still hold a narrow House majority, congressional sources told Reuters that the resolution could attract sufficient support to pass.
However, House Republican leaders could seek to prevent a direct vote on impeachment by moving to dismiss the resolution or referring it to a committee.
Eight articles target military decisions and alleged abuses
Massie’s resolution accuses Hegseth of exceeding his constitutional authority by overseeing the war against Iran without congressional approval.
The lawmaker argues that the administration began military operations on February 28 without the authorisation required under the Constitution and continued them despite congressional efforts to halt hostilities.
The allegations also concern military operations in Venezuela, Yemen, the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific.
Another article accuses Hegseth of violating Democratic Senator Mark Kelly’s free speech rights.
The dispute stems from a video in which Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds urged service personnel to refuse unlawful orders.
Hegseth subsequently accused the lawmakers of sedition and sought action against Kelly.
Massie maintains that the defence secretary’s conduct constitutes grounds for impeachment. The accusations remain contested and were not established through an impeachment trial.
Trump pledges support despite Republican divisions
President Donald Trump defended Hegseth on Monday, praising his handling of military operations involving Iran and Venezuela.
Trump said he would continue supporting the defence secretary even if the House voted to impeach him.
He is scheduled to address reporters at the Pentagon on Tuesday, November 10.
What happens if the House votes for impeachment?
Under the US constitutional process, the House can impeach a federal official by a simple majority vote.
However, impeachment does not automatically remove the official from office.
Removal requires a two thirds majority in the Senate.
Republicans currently hold 53 of the Senate’s 100 seats, meaning conviction would require substantial cross party support.
If the House approves the resolution, Hegseth would become the second civilian head of the US military to be impeached.
The first was Secretary of War William Belknap, impeached in 1876 over corruption allegations but later acquitted by the Senate.
For now, no impeachment vote took place. The immediate question is whether House leaders let the resolution proceed to a substantive vote or use parliamentary procedures to block it.
The outcome could shape congressional scrutiny of the Pentagon as Democrats prepare to assume control of Congress in January.
