Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces a high-stakes impeachment fight in the House of Representatives this week after Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., introduced an eight-article resolution on Monday, November 9, 2026.
Thomas Massie Files Impeachment Articles Over War Powers
Massie triggered the fast-track vote by reading his privileged resolution on the House floor on Monday. Under chamber rules, a privileged measure must be acted on within two legislative days, setting up a definitive floor vote by Wednesday at the latest.
The resolution accuses Hegseth of waging an unauthorized war in Iran in contravention of congressional war powers limits and suppressing free speech by retaliating against Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.
Massie: Hegseth knowingly executed and implemented unlawful orders.. Hegseth has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to the constitution if allowed to remain in office, and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with his duties and the rule of law. Hegseth thus… pic.twitter.com/qdvzphBPFz
The eight articles of impeachment also accuse Hegseth of disregarding laws intended to minimize civilian deaths and handling the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Massie filed the privileged resolution after previously being blocked from pressing the measure in September by a maneuver from House leadership before the election.
Wherefore, Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with his duties and the rule of law,
Articles of impeachment read by Rep. Thomas Massie, via CNBC
Massie told reporters that the push is not about job performance, but because the defense secretary has broken the law. Massie stated his hope that Hegseth would use the time to respond to each of the eight articles and defend his actions rather than relying on other tactics.
COLLINS: Will you stand by Pete Hegseth if he's impeached? TRUMP: Yeah, I'll stand by him. He won two wars. Massie is a lower. Just like you're a loser at CNN. pic.twitter.com/U2ivXE3Izw
Midterm Elections Influence Impeachment Prospects and Voter Sentiment
The impeachment push arrives in the wake of the midterm elections. Polling data indicated that about six in ten voters believed taking military action against Iran was the wrong decision, while about one-third said the war influenced their congressional vote.
House leaders have not yet laid out how they plan to handle the impeachment measure, and it remains unclear whether they have the votes to dispose of the resolution following the election. Members could potentially vote on the articles or on a motion to table the measure, with a majority vote on a tabling motion required to defeat it before a direct vote on impeachment can occur.
When a senior Cabinet official releases a video message vowing to fight for his job, you know he’s about to lose his job. For Pete Hegseth, it may be a matter of days. Let's hope so. https://t.co/EHiHemOVfY pic.twitter.com/OcQc59OlyQ
As the debate unfolded, local and regional lawmakers responded differently. In New York, U.S. Reps. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) and Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre) stayed mum on how they might vote, whereas Democratic U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand indicated she would support removing Hegseth from office if impeached and sent to the Senate, noting she had voted against his confirmation and previously called for his resignation.
Pete Hegseth has abused his power, undermined America’s national security, and he’s the architect of the reckless and costly failed war of choice in Iran,
Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader, via CNBC
Other House Democrats echoed that sentiment, with Jeffries calling Hegseth the architect of a reckless and costly failed war of choice and asserting that his continued presence makes zero sense.
Meanwhile, some Republicans voiced opposition to the impeachment effort itself. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) criticized the push as an attempt to scapegoat Hegseth for Congress shirking its own duty regarding presidential actions.
Trump Defends Hegseth and Denies Plans to Fire Him
President Donald Trump pushed back against the impeachment drive and denied reports that he plans to fire Hegseth, offering staunch backing for his defense chief and telling reporters that he thinks the defense secretary is doing a very good job. Trump also credited Hegseth with boosting military recruitment, claiming there are waiting lists of people trying to get into the armed forces.
🚨🇺🇸 IMPEACHMENT WATCH: GOP Florida Congressman Jared Moskowitz says he’s probably ready to impeach War Secretary Hegseth: “Impeachment is very serious, so I don’t take it lightly. But the fact that he’s ignored the War Powers Act and that’s very serious, and probably, I’ll be…
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly issued a statement affirming that the president has full confidence in Secretary Hegseth and praising military operations in Iran and Venezuela alongside Hegseth’s efforts to reverse prior Pentagon priorities.
He announced plans to hold a press conference Tuesday morning at the Pentagon, marking his first formal briefing since May 5.
An effort to impeach Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth – by a Republican. And progressives won't commit to voting for Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker. My report: https://t.co/V3PMlMNNgC
