Rep. Thomas Massie files resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
WASHINGTON — Rep. Thomas Massie moved Monday to force a vote to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, putting pressure on his fellow Republicans to decide whether to remove one of the Trump’s administration’s most prominent figures following sweeping election losses.
An impeachment resolution introduced by Massie, a Kentucky Republican, largely focuses on the war in Iran. It also includes references to Hegseth’s role in carrying out military actions in Yemen and Venezuela.
A vote in the House could come by midweek.
Hegseth’s response
Facing an expected impeachment resolution in Congress, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he’s eager to litigate the military actions that he and President Donald Trump have taken against Iran, Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and Venezuela's previous leaders.
“If you want to take issue with what we did in Epic Fury or Rough Rider or nabbing Nicolás Maduro, you’re taking issue with the troops and what they accomplished, which is historic,” Hegseth told reporters Monday, using the military code names for the Iran war and campaign of strikes to halt the Houthis' attacks on shipping in the Middle East.
Hegseth also announced he would hold a rare news conference on Tuesday — his first in over 180 days — on the impeachment threat. His last briefing was in May, and he has not held one on the Iran war, strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats or other U.S. military actions since then.
The Pentagon chief is bearing the brunt of anger and calls for his ouster after the Iran war and its economic impact contributed to severe Republican losses in the midterm elections that cost the party control of Congress.
