New attempt to impeach Hegseth introduced in US Congress
Thomas Massie's bid starts a two-day clock for a House vote as bipartisan calls for Hegseth's resignation grow.
Quick Look
- Republican Congressman Thomas Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment against US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, alleging unlawful actions related to military interventions in Iran, Venezuela, and the Caribbean.
- The move triggers a two-day House vote clock, with President Trump reportedly enraged by the challenge from within his own party.
- Hegseth has scheduled a Pentagon press conference for Tuesday.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment against US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, alleging unlawful actions related to US military interventions in Iran, Venezuela, and the Caribbean. The impeachment process requires a simple majority in the House to impeach and a two-thirds majority in the Senate to remove. Only two US cabinet secretaries have ever been impeached previously, and neither was removed from office.
Question marks hang over Pete Hegseth's tenure as US defense secretary after Congress launched a fresh attempt to impeach him amid growing bipartisan calls for him to resign.
In Washington on Monday, local time, dissident GOP Congressman Thomas Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment against Mr Hegseth, saying he had acted unlawfully.
It starts a two-day clock for members to vote on whether to impeach the defence secretary.
Mr Massie has been among Hegseth's most ardent detractors on Capitol Hill, arguing the defence secretary's support of US military interventions in Iran, Venezuela and the Caribbean has violated international law.
The fact Mr Massie is spearheading the impeachment attempt despite being from Donald Trump's Republican Party has enraged the President, who has repeatedly voiced support for Mr Hegseth.
Mr Massie's bid will have the support of Democrats, but there is growing speculation that disgruntled GOP representatives could also back it.
Around 70 Republicans will leave the House at the end of this year.
Some are retiring or have won political office elsewhere, while others were defeated at last week's midterm elections.
Analysts argue many people in this cohort will have nothing to lose and could back the bid to make a political point during their final weeks in office, even if it the White House hates it.
Outgoing Nebraska GOP Representative Don Bacon is among those who have said he may support Massie's motion.
"I'm not the only one that feels this way, there's a bunch of us that have been talking about it," he told CNN on Monday.
When Mr Hegseth was asked about the efforts to impeach him on Monday, he told reporters: "We're not worried about that."
However, he has scheduled a rare press conference for Tuesday morning at the Pentagon where he will address the situation.
In order to impeach a president or cabinet secretary, a simple majority of House members must back the bid.
To actually remove them from office, a two-thirds majority of senators must then vote in favour of it.
Only two US cabinet secretaries have ever been impeached previously, and neither was removed from office.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The House will vote on the impeachment articles within the two-day clock.
Very likely · Within days
Pete Hegseth will address the impeachment efforts at his scheduled Pentagon press conference on Tuesday morning.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Will enough Republican representatives join Democrats to support the impeachment bid?
- What specific evidence does Massie have to support the claim that Hegseth acted unlawfully?
- What will Hegseth say at his scheduled Pentagon press conference on Tuesday?
- How will President Trump respond if the impeachment effort gains momentum?
