Pete Hegseth faces impeachment: Only 2 cabinet secretaries have been impeached in the US' 250-year history, here's how those trials ended

Republican Congressman Thomas Massie on Monday reintroduced articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the war in Iran and other military actions ordered by President Donald Trump. A day before, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries had said he was a "hard yes" on backing efforts to impeach Hegseth. The impeachment calls gained momentum after the Democratic Party won majorities in both chambers of the Congress in last week's midterm elections. Hegseth could now become only the third cabinet secretary to be impeached in the 250 years of the US' independence.

Which secretaries were impeached?

Till date, only two cabinet secretaries have been impeached. The first was former Secretary of War William Belknap, who was impeached in 1876 amid a corruption scandal, but ultimately acquitted. Belknap, a Civil War veteran, had resigned before the House vote.


The second impeachment came after nearly 150 years, when former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, serving under then president Joe Biden, was impeached in 2024. The trial lasted only a few hours, with the Senate dismissing both impeachment articles against Mayorkas and terming them "unconstitutional."

What is the process of impeachment?

Impeachment does not mean removal from office: It is the first step in the process of removing top government officials. Impeachment articles are similar to charges in an indictment.

The House of Representatives is responsible for approving impeachment articles, and the Senate is tasked with conducting a trial to determine whether the official is guilty and should be dismissed from office.

Trump backs Hegseth

President Trump has expressed support for Hegseth. During a White House press briefing Monday afternoon, the president said he would "stand by" Hegseth even if he is impeached.

"He won two wars. He was in charge. We all won. I had great people," Trump told reporters.

Republicans blame Iran war for losses

It remains unclear whether an impeachment effort will succeed in the House, which is still under GOP control until January 3. But Rep. Massie told ABC News he believes there will be enough Republican defectors for it to go through.

Several Republican leaders, including Vice President JD Vance, have squarely blamed the US' war in Iran for the GOP's massive losses in the midterm elections, which were held on November 3.