Hegseth faces potential impeachment vote as House reconvenes

U.S. lawmakers are preparing to vote on the impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as early as next week. The effort has gained momentum after the Iran war, which Hegseth championed, contributed to Republicans losing control of Congress in the midterm elections.

Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican and frequent critic of President Donald Trump, confirmed he will reintroduce articles of impeachment when the House returns. Massie told Bloomberg News he will "definitely" move forward with the measure. This follows his earlier attempt to impeach Hegseth for waging the conflict without congressional approval.

President Trump defended the secretary on Thursday, stating that Hegseth had done a "fantastic job." Trump suggested that Hegseth faces opposition because of his crackdown on Pentagon diversity initiatives. Hegseth responded by posting a six-minute video on X on Thursday. In the video, he defended his tenure and referred to Massie as a "disgruntled, defeated congressman" who filed "sham articles of impeachment."

Massie, who lost his primary after Trump backed a challenger, suggested that Trump should fire Hegseth quickly. This would allow the currently Republican-controlled Senate to confirm a successor. Confirmation would become more difficult once Democrats take control of the chamber in January. Massie wrote on social media that his resolution is a "much gentler version" of what Democrats will pursue with hearings and trials.

If the House impeaches Hegseth, the Senate would be forced to begin a trial unless Republicans muster enough votes to set the matter aside. Such a vote would require lawmakers to support the secretary on the record shortly after voters punished the party over the unpopular Iran war. Massie's bid is expected to receive widespread Democratic support. It may also secure enough Republican backing to pass, particularly as Republicans who lost this week may have little incentive to return for the lame duck session.

Hegseth has faced criticism since his nomination. As a former National Guardsman and Fox News host, he was viewed by some lawmakers as unqualified. He was narrowly confirmed, and Trump has consistently backed him publicly. His prominent role as the main cabinet member in charge of the Iran war has left him exposed, given that the conflict hurt Republicans in the midterm vote.

Hegseth has few allies in Congress. His relationship with lawmakers deteriorated during the war after combative hearings. Accusations arose that he refused to share information with oversight committees, including data on the costs of the conflict. Vice President JD Vance blamed the war directly for the Republican midterm loss. Vance posted on X that the reason for the defeat was the war, noting that losing the Senate for six years was the cost if one argues the conflict was worth it. Trump has insisted he has no plans to oust Hegseth, saying the secretary has done a good job.