Republican representatives have emerged as outspoken critics of the war against Iran and foreign military intervention.
Published September 15, 2026
US Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, an outspoken critic of the Trump administration’s war against Iran, is trying to push through the US Congress to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Massey read articles of impeachment against Hegseth in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, accusing the Pentagon chief of waging war without Congressional approval, committing extrajudicial killings and having little regard for civilian casualties in military operations.
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“Secretary Hegseth abused his authority as Secretary of Defense by subordinating constitutional limits on the use of force and laws regulating the conduct of hostilities to his own policy objectives,” Massey said, adding that Hegseth has shown “gross disregard” for the impact of U.S. military operations on civilians.
The Pentagon chief has come under fire for a record of disparaging statements about the U.S.-Israel war against Iran and protection aimed at minimizing civilian casualties and ensuring compliance with the law by the U.S. military, which he dismisses as “stupid” and “politically correct” rules of engagement that will hinder the military.
Hegseth’s impeachment resolution could be voted on within days, but it has a long chance of passing in the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives.
The Pentagon said it supports Hegseth.
“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 told Reuters in an emailed statement.
Polls show that most Republicans support the unpopular war against Iran, but a few figures on the political right, including Massey and media personality Tucker Carlson, have stepped up their criticism of the Trump administration’s interventionist foreign policy.
President Donald Trump, who pledged during the 2024 presidential campaign to reduce U.S. involvement in conflicts around the world, had previously slammed Massey for his opposition to war against Iran and efforts to force the government to release the Epstein files.
Massey lost the May primary after a barrage of spending attacks by Trump-backed challengers and pro-Israel groups.
