Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces a renewed push in the House to impeach him. Rep. Thomas Massie, an outgoing Kentucky Republican, told ABC News he plans to reintroduce his impeachment resolution as early as Monday, Nov. 9. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said Sunday he supports it, according to ABC and Newsweek.
Key Highlights
- Massie’s resolution has eight articles, and Article I alleges violations of the War Powers Resolution of 1973, Newsweek reported.
- Jeffries said on ABC’s “This Week”: “I’m a hard yes on the Hegseth resolution.”
- ABC and Newsweek reported that a privileged resolution must be scheduled for action within two legislative days.
- President Trump and Hegseth have rejected the effort. No vote has been scheduled in the reports reviewed.
What the Hegseth Impeachment Resolution Says
Massie first introduced the articles in September. ABC reported that the new version, which he intends to bring as a privileged resolution, contains eight articles. Newsweek described it as a 34-page document.
AP reported in September that the articles cited sending the U.S. into the Iran war without congressional approval and directing strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean. Massie called these “high crimes and misdemeanors,” AP reported.
Those are Massie’s allegations. The reports reviewed did not include a court ruling or a formal finding on them.
What Jeffries Said
Jeffries said Hegseth “has got to go,” ABC reported. He accused Hegseth of abusing his power and said he “engineered this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran.” That is Jeffries’ characterization.
“I believe there will be incredibly strong support for that resolution,” Jeffries said, according to ABC. He said House Democrats would discuss it when members return Tuesday. Newsweek noted he did not guarantee unified Democratic support.
How Hegseth and Trump Responded
In a video last week, Hegseth called the articles “sham articles of impeachment” and described the effort as “the politics of personal destruction,” ABC reported. Newsweek said he also called Massie “disgruntled” and “defeated” and called the push “political theater.”
Trump said Thursday that Hegseth has “done a fantastic job” and that he has “every intention to keep him,” according to ABC. Newsweek said the White House has expressed “full confidence” in him. Newsweek’s report did not include a Pentagon response to its request for comment.
The History Behind the Push
In September, Speaker Mike Johnson sent the House home early, blocking Massie’s attempt to force a vote, AP reported. Johnson called the effort “a stunt” and said, “Secretary Hegseth has done an extraordinary job at the Department of War.”
Newsweek also reported that in June the House passed a war powers resolution on Iran by a 215-208 vote, with four Republicans joining Democrats: Massie, Warren Davidson, Tom Barrett and Brian Fitzpatrick.
What Happens Next
Impeaching a Cabinet official takes a simple House majority. If any article passes, the Senate would hold a trial, and removal requires a two-thirds vote of senators present, Newsweek reported.
Any vote during the lame-duck session would come under the current Republican majority. Democrats won control of both the House and Senate in the 2026 midterms and are set to take over in January, according to The Associated Press and Roll Call. If the House does not act before then, the incoming majority could decide whether to pursue the matter in the new Congress.
The reports reviewed did not confirm whether Massie had formally reintroduced the resolution, or how many Republicans would support it. ABC named no other Republican backers. For earlier coverage, see our report on Hegseth’s vow to fight impeachment as Democrats prepare Pentagon investigations.
Watch: Jeffries on the Hegseth Resolution
Video: “Top House Democrat ‘a hard yes’ on impeaching Pete Hegseth” (YouTube).
Sources
- ABC News: ‘I’m a hard yes’: Hakeem Jeffries announces support for Hegseth impeachment
- Newsweek: Jeffries Backs Republican-Led Hegseth Impeachment Effort
- PBS NewsHour (AP): Speaker Johnson recesses House early, blocking Massie’s push to impeach Hegseth
- Associated Press: Democrats win control of Congress in the 2026 midterms
- Roll Call: Lame-duck session opens with Hegseth impeachment effort