Why anti-Trump Republican Thomas Massie wants Pete Hegseth impeached; what the defense secretary can do to avoid the situation

Rep. Thomas Massie has given Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth two options: resign or face another impeachment push in the House of Representatives. The Kentucky Republican plans to force a vote on articles of impeachment when Congress returns next week, after the 2026 midterm elections.

“There is one contingency in which I won’t reintroduce the articles of impeachment: Hegseth resigns,” Massie wrote on X on November 4, according to Anadolu Agency.

Massie also told CNN that he intends to move ahead with the vote. He criticized Republicans over their support for President Donald Trump and said, “You don’t screw up this badly an election with just one issue.”


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The impeachment effort comes as Hegseth faces renewed scrutiny over the Trump administration’s military actions, particularly the war in Iran. Trump defended the defense secretary on November 4 and told reporters that Hegseth was “doing a very good job,” Anadolu Agency reported. Although a Republican, Massie has been described by media outlets as an anti-Trump figure.

Why does Thomas Massie want Pete Hegseth impeached?

Massie first introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth on September 15, 2026. He accused the defense secretary of abusing his office, violating constitutional limits and carrying out military actions without proper congressional authorization.

The allegations include Hegseth’s role in the US military campaign against Iran, strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats, military action in Yemen and the US operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

Massie also accused Hegseth of failing to protect civilians during military operations and retaliating against Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly after Kelly urged members of the military to refuse illegal orders.

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On the House floor, Massie read from his resolution and said Hegseth had acted “in a manner contrary to his trust as Secretary of Defense and subversive of constitutional government,” ABC News reported on September 16.

Massie argued that the allegations went beyond the Iran war. He said the resolution was intended to put a record of the administration’s actions before Congress and the public.

These claims are allegations in Massie’s impeachment resolution. Hegseth has not been found guilty of the conduct described in the articles.

What has the Pentagon said about the impeachment effort?

The Pentagon defended Hegseth after Massie introduced the resolution in September.

Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson called Hegseth a “transformative leader” and said the department was united behind his leadership.

“The entire Department is unified behind the Secretary’s vision and will continue working to put our warfighters and America first,” Wilson said in a statement to ABC News.

The Pentagon has also rejected the latest pressure on Hegseth. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the defense secretary “will not back down or be deterred by politicians seeking to score partisan points,” according to Anadolu Agency.

Parnell added that Hegseth was “100% committed to leading the Department until the end of President’s Trump’s term in office.”

Can Pete Hegseth avoid impeachment?

Hegseth could resign before the House considers the impeachment articles. Massie has explicitly said he will not reintroduce the resolution if Hegseth steps down, according to Anadolu Agency.

However, Hegseth's resignation is not a legal requirement for the House to consider impeachment. The House of Representatives has the sole power to impeach federal officials. A simple majority must approve the articles of impeachment, according to the US Senate's official explanation of the process.