House Refers Massie's Hegseth Impeachment Resolution to Committee in 211-204 Vote
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 211-204 to refer Republican Rep. Thomas Massie's impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Judiciary Committee, effectively shelving the effort for now. Massie filed eight articles of impeachment centered on the Iran war, a February 28 strike on an Iranian elementary school, extrajudicial killings in Caribbean and Pacific boat strikes, military conduct in Venezuela and Yemen, and alleged retaliation against Sen. Mark Kelly. Hegseth dismissed the effort as a "farce"; President Trump backed him. Democrats, set to take control of Congress in January, could revive the push.
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US House Blocks Republican Bid to Impeach Defence Secretary Hegseth
The US House of Representatives voted 211-204 to refer impeachment articles against Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Judiciary Committee, effectively killing for now an effort led by Republican congressman Thomas Massie. Massie accused Hegseth of waging war on Iran for over 90 days without congressional authorisation and of overseeing extrajudicial killings in strikes on alleged drug boats. Hegseth dismissed the effort as a "farce" and "sabotage," while President Trump praised the outcome and called Massie "a major LOSER." Massie was the only Republican to oppose the referral. Because impeachment resolutions can carry past the end of a congressional term, Democrats, who take control of both chambers in January after midterm wins, could revive the effort next year. Senator Ted Cruz said he expects Hegseth to resign or be fired.
Read sourceHouse Republicans Block Bid to Impeach Defense Secretary Hegseth
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 211-204 on Tuesday to refer an impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth back to the Judiciary Committee, effectively shelving the effort for now. The resolution was introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie amid intra-party debate over Republican losses in the midterm elections, which some Republicans attributed to the Iran war and the resulting sharp rise in gasoline prices. President Donald Trump had explicitly backed Hegseth, and most House Republicans stood by the secretary. The decision may only delay the push: Democrats are set to take control of both the House and Senate in January, when a new attempt could be made.
Read sourceHouse Derails Massie's Impeachment Bid Against Defense Secretary Hegseth
The House of Representatives voted 211-204, largely along party lines, to refer Rep. Thomas Massie's (R-Ky.) impeachment effort against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to a committee, effectively killing the proposal. Massie, the only Republican to oppose the referral, filed eight articles of impeachment. Four concern the Iran War, alleging Hegseth violated the War Powers Resolution by launching the conflict without evidence of imminent threat, continuing it after Congress ordered it to end, and ignoring withdrawal deadlines. One article addresses the February 28 strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School that killed over 100 civilians, many children, after Pentagon officials ignored warnings about outdated intelligence. Another charges Hegseth with ordering extrajudicial killings in counternarcotics operations off Venezuela. Other articles cover military conduct in Venezuela and Yemen and alleged illegal retaliation against Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.). Hegseth called the effort a farce and said his orders were legal and directed by Trump. Trump said he would stand by Hegseth but also said Hegseth was among those most responsible for the Iran War, which played a major role in Republican midterm losses. Democrats could attempt to oust Hegseth after taking control of Congress in January.
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Impeachment Bid Against Hegseth Draws Clear Public Opinion
A taz.de commentary by Hansjürgen Mai argues that Republicans would benefit from supporting an impeachment proceeding against US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, though it is uncertain whether they have the political courage. The motion, introduced by outgoing Republican Representative Thomas Massie, comes awkwardly between an election and the new Congress convening in January. Mai contends that Republicans spent nearly two years rubber-stamping Donald Trump's agenda and were punished at the polls last week, and that Massie's move offers the party a chance at redemption. The article cites eight charges in Massie's motion alleging Hegseth violated laws and endangered American soldiers. Mai says public opinion clearly favors Hegseth's removal, linking him to an unpopular Iran war and rising economic costs, and predicts Hegseth's days at the Pentagon are numbered even if the motion fails.
Read sourceImpeachment Articles Target Hegseth Over Boat Strike Killings and Kelly Retaliation
The House of Representatives is considering eight proposed articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, most concerning his prosecution of unauthorized wars. Two articles address 'extrajudicial killings' and 'suppressing free speech,' both tied to the Trump administration's policy of summarily executing suspected cocaine smugglers. Since September 2025, 72 military strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific have killed 244 people. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) introduced the articles, arguing Hegseth treated civilians as combatants without due process. The sixth article charges Hegseth with retaliating against Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) for criticizing the strikes, including censuring him and threatening his pension. A federal judge blocked disciplinary action, ruling Kelly's speech was protected, and the D.C. Circuit appears disinclined to grant Hegseth the authority he claims.
Read sourceMassie Seeks Hegseth Impeachment Over Civilian War Deaths
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is attempting to force a House vote on impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, with his fourth article of impeachment citing the February 28, 2026 U.S. Tomahawk strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, Iran, which killed between 150 and 200 civilians, including students, teachers, and parents. Massie argues such massacres were foreseeable consequences of Hegseth's dismantling of Pentagon civilian-harm tracking offices and his attacks on rules of engagement. A fifth article accuses Hegseth of extrajudicial killings in boat strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific that killed at least 240 sailors, some likely innocent. Other articles concern unauthorized wars and suppression of free speech. Hegseth denies the military targets civilians, calling the claim a lie and slander, though the article notes he previously boasted of "maximum lethality" and relaxed rules. The article details the school attack, shifting administration excuses, and witness accounts.
Trump and Johnson Back Hegseth Against Republican Impeachment Push
Republican Representative Thomas Massie filed an impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, citing eight grounds and focusing largely on the war with Iran as well as Hegseth's role in military operations in Yemen and Venezuela. House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned the move as a shameful political stunt, warning that pursuing impeachment during an international conflict sends a devastating signal to enemies and allies, and said Republicans would not participate. President Trump defended Hegseth on Truth Social, awarding him an "A" with many plus signs and calling Massie a "TOTAL LOSER." Hegseth dismissed the effort as political theater at a press conference. Massie, a frequent party dissenter known for forcing the Epstein files vote, lost his Republican primary in May to a Trump-backed challenger and leaves office in January.
Read sourceHegseth Denounces Impeachment Effort as 'Political Spectacle' Ahead of Expected House Vote
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday denounced the impeachment effort led by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie as a 'farce' and 'political spectacle,' calling it driven by ego and resentment rather than legitimate oversight. Massie said the House is expected to vote on the resolution Tuesday evening, likely after a procedural motion to table it. The updated articles of impeachment accuse Hegseth of abusing his office by launching the Iran war without congressional approval, ignoring laws meant to minimize civilian casualties, and retaliating against Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said he is a 'hard yes' on impeachment, while Speaker Mike Johnson predicted the House would defeat the push, warning that impeaching a Cabinet secretary amid foreign hostilities would be a 'terrible look.' President Trump praised Hegseth and attacked Massie on Truth Social. Massie said he has no commitments from other Republicans to support the measure.
Read sourceHegseth Defends Record and Iran War as Impeachment Vote Looms
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, facing an impeachment vote in Congress, held a rare Pentagon news conference on Tuesday as part of a week-long effort to save his job, appealing directly to President Donald Trump and Republican allies. The Washington Post reports that Hegseth defended his record and the Iran war amid the looming vote. Related coverage from The Guardian, BBC, Axios, and The New York Times examines the impeachment effort, including BBC's analysis that Hegseth is fighting for his political life with an appeal to Trump, Axios reporting that JD Vance said the impeachment vote "isn't about Iran," and NYT coverage of Thomas Massie as leader of the drive to impeach Hegseth.
Read sourceHegseth Calls Impeachment Effort a 'Farce' as Republican Lawmaker Files Articles
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth defended his record at the Pentagon after Republican congressman Thomas Massie introduced articles of impeachment in the House of Representatives. Massie accuses Hegseth of violating the constitution by not seeking approval for the Iran war, among other accusations. The BBC's Gary O'Donoghue breaks down the key developments from Hegseth's first news conference in six months, where the defence secretary gave a defiant response and dismissed the effort as a 'farce.'
Read sourceHegseth Dismisses Republican Impeachment Effort as 'Political Spectacle'
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed an impeachment effort led by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie as a 'political spectacle' and 'a personal manifesto driven by ego and resentment' during a Pentagon press conference. Hegseth defended his handling of the prolonged Iran war, calling it a 'necessary undertaking' despite Republican blame for midterm election losses. The House is expected to vote on a procedural motion regarding the impeachment resolution, which could lead to a full vote. President Trump praised Hegseth's performance with an 'A PLUS, PLUS, PLUS' on Truth Social, while Senator Ted Cruz predicted Hegseth would either step down voluntarily or be fired by Trump. The article also covers Republican leadership elections and a lawsuit against Nvidia and its CEO over an alleged affair with a Chinese spy.
Read sourceMassie Files Impeachment Articles Against Defense Secretary Hegseth
Rep. Thomas Massie (R–Ky.) introduced articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, alleging illegal wars against Iran and Yemen in violation of the War Powers Resolution, ignoring laws to minimize civilian casualties, overseeing extrajudicial killings in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, suppressing free speech tied to punishing Sen. Mark Kelly, and the unauthorized capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Hegseth dismissed the articles as a 'sham' from 'one disgruntled and defeated congressman.' Democrats, including presumed incoming Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, are likely to support the effort; as few as three Republican defections or absences could advance charges to the Senate, where two-thirds would be needed to convict. Massie framed the move as a constitutional balance-of-power issue, noting impeachment is effectively 'firing someone.'
Read sourceHegseth Claims Impeachment Is Punishment for Military Victories
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed at a Pentagon press conference that he is being threatened with impeachment for being too successful, asserting the U.S. won victories in Iran and Venezuela. He argued he is being condemned for military victory rather than defeat. However, outgoing Republican Representative Thomas Massie's 34-page impeachment resolution accuses Hegseth of illegally waging war against Iran, suppressing free speech, ignoring laws meant to minimize civilian casualties, overseeing extrajudicial killings, and the kidnapping of a foreign leader. Hegseth dismissed the effort as championed by 'one disgruntled and defeated congressman' and accused the media of hating the president more than loving the country. He compared his situation to Trump's previous two impeachments and framed impeachment as a badge of honor, saying if standing with Trump puts him in that company, he'll take it.
Read sourceConservative Legal Commentator Andrew McCarthy Backs Convicting Hegseth on Some Impeachment Charges
Reason's Volokh commentary discusses Rep. Thomas Massie filing impeachment charges against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the Iran war and 'drug boat' strikes. The author notes that conservative legal commentator Andrew McCarthy, writing in National Review, agrees Hegseth should be convicted on at least some charges. McCarthy calls the extrajudicial killings of suspected drug boat operators 'indefensible,' arguing drug trafficking is a crime, not an act of war, and that designating Venezuelan gangs as terrorist organizations does not authorize force. McCarthy also says Hegseth abused command authority and violated separation-of-powers principles by trying to discipline and censure Senator Kelly, constituting unlawful command influence. The author disagrees with McCarthy's view that Hegseth should not be impeached over the illegal Iran war merely for obeying Trump's orders, citing Nuremberg lessons and Hegseth's role as a key architect. The author considers the Maduro intervention charge weaker and urges Congress to focus on the strongest charges.
Conservative Legal Commentator Andrew McCarthy Backs Convicting Hegseth on Some Impeachment Charges
This Reason commentary reports that GOP Rep. Thomas Massie filed impeachment charges against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the Iran War, the 'drug boat' strikes, and alleged abuse of command authority against Senator Kelly. The author, who favors impeachment, highlights National Review commentator Andrew McCarthy's view that Hegseth should be convicted for the extrajudicial killings of suspected drug boat operators, which McCarthy calls 'indefensible,' and for unlawful command influence in trying to discipline Senator Kelly. McCarthy reportedly sees the Iran War as illegal but would not impeach Hegseth for it since he was obeying Trump's orders. The author disagrees, arguing officials should be sanctioned for obeying illegal orders, and considers the Maduro intervention charge weaker than the boat strike and abusive prosecution charges.
Read sourceMassie Forces House Vote on Eight Impeachment Articles Against Hegseth
Representative Thomas Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, citing unauthorized wars in Iran and Yemen, extrajudicial killings, suppression of free speech, and the unauthorized kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Massie argued that the question is whether Hegseth committed impeachable acts, not whether colleagues agree with the war. Hegseth has reportedly lost support from Trump and other Republicans, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declaring himself a 'hard yes' for impeachment. Speaker Mike Johnson had delayed votes for nearly two months, canceling September votes until after midterms due to insufficient support to defeat the measure. Massie suggested Hegseth could avoid the vote by resigning, and Hegseth has called a Pentagon press conference amid rumors of seeking a Tennessee Senate seat, though Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn has reportedly ruled that out.
Read sourceReason Column Argues Hegseth Should Be Impeached Over Iran War and Boat Strikes
A Reason Magazine commentary argues that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth should be impeached and convicted on at least two charges: waging an unconstitutional war against Iran without congressional authorization, and authorizing extrajudicial killings in 'drug boat' strikes that have killed an estimated 244 people, mostly civilians. The article notes that outgoing GOP Rep. Thomas Massie plans to introduce an impeachment resolution with eight articles, and that incoming Democratic Speaker Hakeem Jeffries says he is a 'hard yes' on impeachment, making it likely to proceed, especially after Democrats take control of Congress in January. The author contends the boat strikes constitute murder and that the Iran War violated the Constitution and the War Powers Act, arguing such abuses qualify as impeachable 'high crimes and misdemeanors.'
Reason Urges Impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Over Iran War and Boat Strikes
A Reason magazine commentary argues that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth should be impeached and convicted on at least two major charges: waging an unconstitutional war against Iran without congressional authorization, and authorizing extrajudicial lethal strikes on suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean and Pacific that have killed an estimated 244 people, mostly civilians. The article notes that outgoing GOP Rep. Thomas Massie plans to introduce an impeachment resolution with eight articles, and that incoming Democratic Speaker Hakeem Jeffries says he is a 'hard yes' on impeachment, making it likely to proceed, especially once Democrats take control of Congress in January. The author cites legal scholars including John Yoo and Rand Paul to argue the boat strikes constitute murder and that illegal war and abuses of power are impeachable offenses, while acknowledging a political-backfire risk.
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