Massie Launches Impeachment Bid Against Hegseth
The Kentucky Republican cites specific actions by the Defense Secretary as grounds for the move.
By Harvey Wilson ·
Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, has launched a bid to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Massie filed the articles of impeachment in the House of Representatives on Sunday. The move targets Hegseth directly and signals a new level of intra-party conflict within the Republican majority.
Massie, who previously held a moderate stance on several fiscal issues, detailed his reasons for the action in a formal filing. He pointed to specific decisions made by Hegseth regarding personnel changes and budget allocations within the Department of Defense. The filing lists multiple counts against the Secretary, each tied to a specific date or executive order.
The impeachment bid requires a simple majority in the House to pass. With the Republican Party holding a slim majority following the midterm elections, the outcome of the vote remains uncertain. Several Republican members have not yet announced their votes, creating a potential hurdle for Massie's effort.
Hegseth’s office responded to the news of the filing with a brief statement. The statement defended the Secretary’s record and called the move a political maneuver. It noted that Hegseth has served with dedication and that the department continues to operate smoothly despite the controversy.
Other members of Congress reacted with mixed opinions. Some Republicans praised Massie for holding the executive branch accountable. Others expressed concern that the fight could distract from legislative priorities. Democrats largely welcomed the bid, calling it a long-overdue check on presidential power.
The next step in the process is the referral of the articles to the House Judiciary Committee. The committee will review the filing and decide whether to hold hearings. If the committee approves the articles, a floor vote will be scheduled for the next available session of Congress.
