WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2026 — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing an impeachment effort from within his own Republican Party, with Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie accusing him of conducting unauthorized military operations, failing to protect civilians and abusing his authority.
Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment on Monday, challenging the legality of several military campaigns carried out under President Donald Trump.
The move marks an unusual confrontation between a Republican lawmaker and the administration’s top defense official, highlighting divisions within the party over presidential war powers and congressional oversight.
Allegations span several military campaigns
Three of the impeachment articles concern the war with Iran. Massie argues that Hegseth helped launch and continue military operations without the authorization required from Congress, including beyond limits established under the 1973 War Powers Resolution.
Another article focuses on civilian casualties, particularly a February attack on a girls’ school in Minab, Iran, that reportedly killed about 170 people, many of them children. Massie alleges that the Pentagon weakened civilian-protection procedures under Hegseth’s leadership. The United States has not formally accepted responsibility for the school strike.
The resolution also challenges American strikes against suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Massie alleges that the military killed people suspected of criminal activity without legal proceedings, including survivors of an earlier attack.
Other accusations concern the January operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in 2025, and Hegseth’s treatment of Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, a former Navy pilot who publicly defended service members’ right to refuse unlawful orders.
The allegations have not been established through impeachment proceedings. Reuters +1
Hegseth rejects accusations
Speaking at the Pentagon on Tuesday, Hegseth dismissed the impeachment campaign as politically motivated and argued that it could undermine American military personnel carrying out their missions.
Trump has defended his defense secretary, while Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson have criticized the impeachment effort. Johnson has indicated that Republican leaders intend to defeat the resolution.
Massie, however, maintains that the issue is whether the defense secretary exceeded the constitutional limits of his authority, regardless of his party affiliation. AP News +1
House faces a political test
The impeachment effort comes shortly after Republicans suffered losses in the November 3 midterm elections, amid public concerns about the Iran war and its economic consequences.
Massie’s resolution could attract support from Democrats and some Republicans dissatisfied with the administration’s military policies. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has expressed support for the effort.
The House was expected to consider the resolution on Tuesday, although Republican leaders could seek to block it through procedural measures.
If the House approves impeachment, the case would move to the Senate, where a two-thirds majority would be required to convict and remove Hegseth from office.
The outcome remains uncertain, but the confrontation has placed the Pentagon chief at the center of a wider debate over the limits of presidential military power and Congress’s authority to oversee American wars.
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