Defense Secretary Hegseth faces new impeachment push

Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, filed new articles of impeachment against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Monday.

The Kentucky representative submitted eight specific charges regarding the United States military engagement with Iran. A full vote on the House floor is scheduled for this week.

Massie, who plans to retire from Congress at the end of this year, is a long-time critic of President Trump. He accused Hegseth of conducting the war without a formal declaration, legal authorization, a direct attack on U.S. soil, or an imminent threat.

The first article of impeachment states that the war was illegal from its inception. This charge relies on Article 1 of the Constitution, which grants Congress the power to declare war. The last time Congress formally declared war was during World War II.

The War Powers Resolution requires the president to notify Congressional leadership within two days if military forces are used without a declaration of war. If no prior notification is given, the president must end the use of forces within 60 days.

Beyond the Iran conflict, the articles cite alleged extrajudicial executions during strikes on drug-running vessels. They also reference the seizure of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and an illegal war in Yemen.

Hegseth announced on Monday that he will hold a press conference at the Pentagon on Tuesday morning to address the attempt to remove him from office. When asked if he has sufficient Republican support to survive the vote, Hegseth replied, "We are not worried about that."

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat from New York, stated that his support for the impeachment effort is "total and absolute." Jeffries claimed that Hegseth has abused his power, undermined national security, and orchestrated a costly war that has increased prices for Americans while making the country less safe.