The move came less than a week after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the Nov. 3 midterm elections, results widely interpreted as a rebuke to President Donald Trump's policies, including the unpopular Iran war. Massie's action sets up a potentially explosive vote in Congress days after Trump's party suffered a crushing midterm defeat.
Massie, a self-described libertarian Republican from Kentucky, first introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth in September, but the effort stalled after House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) canceled the chamber's remaining votes ahead of the midterms. The House could vote on the renewed impeachment resolution as early as Wednesday, Nov. 11, officials said, since impeachment is a privileged matter that must be taken up within two legislative days.
The revived effort comes as House Republican leaders are bracing for enough GOP defections to impeach Hegseth when the measure comes to a vote, according to Axios. Several House Republicans believe Hegseth's impeachment could pass as Massie forces a privileged resolution vote this week, Fox News reported.
Articles of Impeachment Allege War Powers Violations
Massie alleges that Hegseth violated the 1973 War Powers Resolution by waging war against Iran without congressional authorization and failed to minimize civilian casualties during U.S. strikes. The conflict, triggered by a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran on Feb. 28, has been "unlawful from its inception," Massie said Monday.
The congressman also argued that the 2025 strikes in Yemen and the January commando raid in Caracas, during which U.S. forces abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, were illegal. Massie described U.S. strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean, which have reportedly killed at least 243 people, as extrajudicial killings.
Massie's complaint rests upon continued U.S. hostilities following the end of the 60-day maximum fighting period without authorization from Congress, according to Just the News. He also noted that fighting in Iran had continued well past the 60-day maximum, but even after an optional 30-day drawdown period, hostilities persisted.
According to Russia Today (RT), Massie said, "My effort to impeach Secretary Hegseth is a much gentler version of what's coming when the Democrats assume control of the House and Senate next year." The articles of impeachment accuse Hegseth of high crimes and misdemeanors, according to NPR. The Kentucky Republican's resolution sets up a vote in the House of Representatives in the next two days.
Hegseth Rejects Impeachment Effort as "Farce" and "Stunt"
Hegseth condemned impeachment efforts against him as "sabotage," according to remarks at a press conference on Tuesday, Nov. 10. "It's a farce, and it's a stunt," he said, calling criticism of him and the war on Iran "policy disagreements." The Department of War's Tuesday press conference marked the first in about six months, according to The Hill.
Trump dismissed Massie on Truth Social as a "total loser" and hailed Hegseth as "perhaps the most popular and successful military official in the country." On Monday, Trump said an escalation with Iran "seems to be quite unlikely" and expressed hope for a negotiated settlement. "We are seeing positive momentum toward an end to this Conflict, and will ensure that America's interests are at all times protected," he wrote on Truth Social.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said the impeachment effort against Hegseth will either mean the secretary of war will "step down voluntarily, or Trump will fire him," according to The Guardian. Hegseth remained defiant, vowing over the weekend to "finish what we have started" despite the GOP's election losses.
Democratic Leaders Echo Calls for Senate Trial
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) echoed Massie's call in a speech on the Senate floor. "America needs a serious Secretary of Defense right now – not a wannabe warlord. Hegseth must stand trial before the Senate," he said, according to RT. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said he was a "hard yes" on a vote to impeach Hegseth that is expected to come to the House floor this week, the New York Times reported.
The midterm results were widely interpreted as a rebuke to Trump's policies, including the Iran war, which has driven up energy prices by disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and liquefied natural gas trade. The Democratic sweep raised fears of a data center backlash and prompted a rotation out of chipmakers and the artificial intelligence complex, while oil prices rebounded modestly, according to ZeroHedge.
According to Stars and Stripes, the revived impeachment effort comes less than a week after Democrats swept to majorities in both houses of Congress in midterm elections, with new members of Congress to be sworn in on Jan. 3. The results have led to growing calls to impeach Hegseth as several Republicans have attributed the GOP's sweeping midterm losses to the Iran war, ABC News reported.
Reference
- Republican lawmaker moves to impeach Trump’s war secretary. https://rt-english.com/news/648620-hegseth-impeachment-second-time/
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