Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., introduced a resolution on the House floor Tuesday seeking to impeach Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, laying out eight separate articles of impeachment that took him more than an hour to read aloud.
Massie’s resolution accuses Hegseth of “high crimes and misdemeanors,” citing alleged violations of the War Powers Resolution of 1973 tied to military action in Iran, along with Hegseth’s role in the operation that captured and extradited former Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.
Iran Operations at the Center of First Three Articles
The first three articles focus on Iran. Massie argues Hegseth’s Department of War has been “waging the Iran war despite no declaration of war, statutory authorization, attack on the United States, or imminent threat.”
The first article asserts the war was unlawful from the start. The second claims Hegseth defied Congress after the House and Senate both directed troops be removed from Iran. The third alleges Hegseth is continuing hostilities in Iran after the 60-day termination period under the War Powers Resolution — and any 30-day withdrawal window — has expired.
Civilian Casualties and Caribbean Strikes
Articles four and five accuse Hegseth of failing to minimize civilian casualties and of engaging in extrajudicial killing. The extrajudicial killing charge centers on operations in the Caribbean Sea, where Massie alleges Hegseth replaced maritime law enforcement with “unauthorized lethal military targeting of suspected drug traffickers.”
Maduro’s Capture and a Retaliation Claim
The seventh article accuses Hegseth of “Kidnapping of a Sovereign Foreign Leader” over his role in Operation Absolute Resolve, the January mission in which U.S. Special Forces apprehended and removed Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from Caracas. Massie contends Hegseth acted “without constitutional or legal authority.”
Article six alleges Hegseth used his authority to suppress the free speech of Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., by retaliating against him over a video in which Kelly and other lawmakers appeared together — a video critics said encouraged active-duty troops to disobey lawful orders.
Yemen Strikes Round Out the Charges
The eighth and final article addresses Operation Rough Rider in Yemen, charging that Hegseth launched the operation without congressional authorization or an imminent threat to the United States, while violating war powers reporting requirements. The article also cites what it describes as extensive civilian deaths and unlawful strikes on civilian objects, rescuers, and other protected persons.
Wrapping up his floor remarks, Massie said Hegseth “abused the powers entrusted to him as Secretary of Defense by subordinating the constitutional limits on the use of military force and the laws governing the conduct of hostilities to his own policy objectives.”
Massie said Hegseth “has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to civilians, the lawful conduct of United States military operations, the integrity and credibility of the United States Armed Forces and the Constitution, if allowed to remain in office, and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with his duties, and the rule of law.”
Massie said this record “warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States.”
Fox News Digital reported that it contacted Massie’s office and the Pentagon for further comment.
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