An 8-article bill was presented for the dismissal of US Defense Secretary Hegseth

US Republican Congressman Thomas Massie submitted to the House of Representatives the eight-article impeachment bill he prepared to remove Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from office.

Massie, who read the entire bill consisting of eight impeachment articles in the General Assembly of the House of Representatives, argued that Hegseth should be removed from office.

Massie attempted to invoke a “preferred status” mechanism under House rules that would require Republican leaders to bring the bill to the General Assembly for a vote within two legislative days.

However, Parliament leaders can prevent the bill from being considered under privileged status by providing a simple majority.

Accusing Hegseth of eight counts of impeachment, including starting a war without Congressional approval, undermining measures to protect civilians, and carrying out extrajudicial executions, Massie demanded the Secretary of Defense's dismissal.

The bill also called for Hegseth to be deprived of the right to hold any federal office in the future.

The eight-article text included allegations regarding Hegseth's role in US military operations in Iran, Yemen and Venezuela, as well as accusations regarding his attitude towards military control, civilian casualties and freedom of expression.

The first three articles of impeachment relate to military operations in Iran.

The bill's first three articles accused Hegseth of directing U.S. military operations against Iran without Congressional approval and of continuing hostilities despite Congressional attempts to withdraw American forces.

It was claimed that these actions violated the War Powers Resolution of 1973.

In the fourth article, it was claimed that Hegseth weakened security measures to prevent harm to civilians during military operations.

In this context, the US attack on the Sherece-i Tayyibe Girls Primary School in Minab, Iran, in which more than 150 civilians, including 120 children, lost their lives, was cited as an example.

The fifth article of impeachment addressed US military attacks on ships suspected of drug smuggling in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean.

In the sixth article, Hegseth was accused of retaliating against retired navy commander and Senator Mark Kelly and suppressing constitutionally protected freedom of expression.

It was stated that the accusation in question came to the fore after Kelly appeared in a video reminding military personnel that they have the right to refuse illegal orders.

Venezuela and Yemen operations were also included in the bill

The seventh article of impeachment discussed the military operation in which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured in January this year.

The article claimed that Hegseth carried out an unauthorized military operation against a sovereign country and stated that at least 83 people died and 7 Americans lost their lives as a result of the operation in question.

In the eighth and final article, Hegseth was accused of directing the "military operation" in Yemen in 2025.

The bill stated that more than 1,100 attacks were carried out in Yemen within the scope of operations that lasted approximately 52 days.

67 votes are required in the Senate to remove Hegseth from office

The impeachment process in the USA begins in the House of Representatives. If the articles of impeachment are accepted here, the trial and final decision process is carried out in the Senate.

If the House of Representatives passes the articles of impeachment by a simple majority, Hegseth could be formally indicted on the charges contained in the articles in question.

Then, the Senate will evaluate the articles of impeachment in the hearings and decide whether Hegseth is guilty or not.

In order for the Minister of Defense to be dismissed, a two-thirds majority, that is, 67 votes, must be achieved in the Senate.

It is considered difficult to reach the majority required to dismiss Hegseth, who continues to be supported by US President Donald Trump and the Republicans, in the current Senate arithmetic.