U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) speaks with reporters after introducing a resolution to impeach Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in connection with the U.S.-Iran conflict in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol on September 15, 2026 in Washington, DC, USA.
Evan Vucci | Reuters
Republican U.S. Representative Thomas Massie on Tuesday introduced articles of impeachment against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, accusing him of abusing his office by executing orders for hostilities against Iran without Congressional approval.
Although the impeachment resolution is unlikely to pass, the maneuver by the Kentucky Republican could lead to a vote in the House that will be difficult for some of his fellow Republicans as they prepare to leave Washington before November’s midterm elections.
“The entire Department of Defense is united in the Secretary’s vision and will continue to work to put our warfighters and America first,” Pentagon spokesman Kingsley Wilson said in an emailed statement.
Massey introduced a privileged article of impeachment against Hegseth, meaning the House must take up the article within two legislative days.
Massey, an outspoken critic of the war against Iran and support for Israel, is not seeking re-election. Massey infuriated the president by leading the release of Justice Department files on the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and lost the May primary to a candidate backed by Republican President Donald Trump.
Mr. Massey lost to Ed Gullane, a former Navy SEAL who was backed by Mr. Trump and supported by massive spending from pro-Israel groups.
Opinion polls show that the war that began with the Feb. 28 attack on Iran by U.S. and Israeli forces is unpopular with voters. Members of Congress, most of whom are Democrats, have repeatedly voted in favor of resolutions calling on President Trump to end the conflict unless he can win support from Congress, but this has not resulted in a cessation of hostilities.
Opinion polls show that President Trump’s Republicans face a difficult situation in maintaining control of the House and Senate when voters head to the polls on November 3.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday showed Democrats leading Republicans in voting preferences in Congress, 44% to 37%.
President Trump’s popularity has declined since he started the war, which has disrupted oil shipments and pushed fuel prices to near record highs, hurting American household budgets.
