8 Articles Target Hegseth as Midterm Losses Shake GOP Discipline

Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie has introduced eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, seeking to remove the Pentagon chief over his conduct of the Iran war. The move forces the House to hold a vote as early as Wednesday, placing immediate financial and political pressure on the current Republican majority. Massie, a Republican who lost his primary to a Trump-backed candidate, is utilizing a special procedural mechanism to ensure the resolution receives a floor vote within two legislative days.

The articles allege that Hegseth illegally waged war without congressional authorization, specifically violating the 1973 War Powers Resolution. They also point to alleged misconduct regarding civilian casualties and military operations in Yemen and Venezuela. The Pentagon has rejected these accusations, but the timing of the vote is critical for the markets and policy. It occurs just days after the midterm elections, where Democrats won both chambers of Congress due to widespread public anger over the conflict and rising fuel prices.

Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is slated to become speaker in January, voiced strong support for the measure. "I'm a hard yes on the Hegseth resolution," Jeffries told ABC News. "The so-called secretary of defense has abused his power, undermined our national security and engineered this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran," he said. "Pete Hegseth has got to go."

Several Republican lawmakers are now weighing the decision to support the charges. Arkansas Representative French Hill stated on Sunday that he wanted to hear the debate before deciding if the accusations justified impeachment. Other Republicans who lost their seats in the midterms may skip the vote, which could lower the threshold for passage. The current Republican leadership retains control of the House until January 3, but their overwhelming defeat has weakened party discipline and fueled internal recriminations.

If the House passes the articles by a simple majority, the matter moves to the Senate for trial. Removal from office requires a two-thirds majority in the Senate. Even with Democrats taking control in January, they will need substantial Republican support to reach that high bar. Only two Cabinet secretaries in US history have been impeached, and neither was removed by the Senate. Hegseth has dismissed Massie's effort as a "sham," calling the congressman "disgruntled." President Trump declared last week that he has every intention of keeping Hegseth in his role. The Pentagon scheduled a press briefing by the secretary for Tuesday to address the situation.