Defense Secretary Hegseth: Removal vote targeted for November 9

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces a formal House vote on his removal as early as November 9, according to reports published Friday. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie intends to force this vote immediately after the House returns to session, a date falling one week after the midterm elections. The timing suggests a direct attempt to test the new majority's willingness to act on impeachment articles filed in September.

Massie, an outspoken critic of the Iran war and US aid to Israel, accused Hegseth of abusing his office. He claims the defense secretary executed an order for hostilities against Iran without securing approval from Congress. These articles of impeachment provide the procedural mechanism for Massie to bring the matter to the floor, regardless of the party that controls the chamber after the elections.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries signaled Democratic intent to pursue the matter if his party gains power. Speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania, Jeffries stated, "One of the first things we're going to do in the majority, we're going to run Pete Hegseth out of town." The Wall Street Journal reported that Democrats are laying the groundwork for this move should they emerge in a strong position from the midterms.

Other Democratic lawmakers have used strong language in recent interviews. Rep. Pramila Jayapal described Hegseth as "incompetent and, frankly, corrupt" during a CNN appearance. Rep. Jared Huffman called him an "unhinged fanatic who should be impeached and removed from office." These comments align with the procedural steps currently being prepared in Washington.

The push for impeachment coincides with scrutiny of Hegseth's recent activities. The defense secretary held a covert meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Israel's Ovda air base on Monday, days before Israel's election. Two sources confirmed the visit to Walla on Tuesday. Hegseth confirmed the meeting took place but did not elaborate on the specific details of their conversation.

According to a KAN News report, the main topic of the discussion was Iran. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reportedly attended the sit-down. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and other senior Israeli officials were not invited, citing confidentiality reasons. This exclusion of top military leaders adds to the questions surrounding the meeting's scope.

Massie has set a specific target for the vote to occur shortly after the House returns on November 9. The date places the potential procedural action directly in the path of the new congressional majority's early agenda. No further public statements have been issued regarding the exact timing of the floor vote beyond Massie's stated intent.