Washington, November 9 (News Desk): US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing a fresh impeachment challenge after Republican Representative Thomas Massie announced plans to push for a House vote on a resolution seeking his removal, citing the Trump administration’s handling of the war with Iran.
The move comes days after Republicans suffered major losses in the November 3 midterm elections, which are set to hand Democrats control of both chambers of Congress in January.
Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, is seeking to force a vote on impeaching Hegseth over allegations that the Defence Secretary defied Congress and continued US military operations against Iran unlawfully.
The proposal has drawn attention across Capitol Hill, with some Republicans indicating they may support the measure and senior Democrats expressing backing for an impeachment effort.
Why is Pete Hegseth facing impeachment?
Massie’s resolution centres on allegations that Hegseth and the Trump administration continued the US military campaign against Iran in defiance of congressional authority.
The Republican lawmaker has argued that Congress must examine the legal basis for the military operations and the administration’s decisions surrounding the conflict.
The issue has also exposed divisions within the Republican Party over the Iran war, with some lawmakers questioning the timing, objectives and political consequences of the military campaign.
According to Axios, Republican Representative Don Bacon said Pete Hegseth did not have widespread support on Capitol Hill, while indicating that he had not yet decided how he would vote on the proposed measure.
The impeachment effort had been held back before the midterm elections after House Speaker Mike Johnson cancelled votes and sent lawmakers home early. Johnson has denied that the decision was linked to the proposed impeachment vote.
Hakeem Jeffries signals support for impeachment
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has publicly backed the effort to impeach Hegseth.
In an interview with ABC News on Sunday, Jeffries said he was firmly in favour of impeachment and indicated that he would discuss the issue with other Democratic lawmakers when Congress reconvened.
Jeffries accused Hegseth of abusing his authority and criticised the administration’s handling of the Iran conflict.
His remarks came as Democrats prepared to take control of the House and Senate in January following their victories in the midterm elections.
The change in congressional leadership could give Democrats greater power to investigate the administration and pursue impeachment proceedings.
Hegseth calls impeachment effort a ‘sham’
Pete Hegseth has rejected the impeachment push, describing it as a politically motivated effort led by a lawmaker who had lost his primary election.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell also defended the Defence Secretary, saying the department had followed the law and that Hegseth remained committed to his responsibilities.
President Donald Trump has separately defended Pete Hegseth, saying he intended to keep him in his position.
Massie, meanwhile, has challenged Trump to replace the Defence Secretary, saying he would reconsider pursuing impeachment if Hegseth resigned.
Can the US House remove Pete Hegseth?
Even if the House of Representatives votes to impeach Hegseth, it would not automatically remove him from office.
Under the US Constitution, impeachment by the House is equivalent to bringing formal charges. Removal from office requires conviction by a two-thirds majority in the Senate.
The threshold would remain difficult to achieve even after Democrats take control of the Senate in January.
The immediate focus is therefore on whether Massie can secure enough support to bring the resolution to a vote and whether Republican lawmakers will join Democrats in backing the measure.
The dispute also places the administration’s Iran policy under renewed congressional scrutiny, with the incoming Democratic majority expected to exercise greater oversight over military decisions and the use of executive authority.