Secretary of War Pete Hegseth could face a bipartisan impeachment effort when Congress returns next week, amid Republican anger over the party’s heavy losses in Tuesday’s midterm elections.
Discontent over the Iran war had been building quietly for months. Democrats’ unexpected gains in both chambers have brought that frustration into the open, and several House Republicans say they believe an impeachment resolution against Hegseth could pass as soon as next week. “He’s in trouble,” one Republican lawmaker said.
Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who has long opposed U.S. military intervention abroad, said he plans to force a vote on impeaching Hegseth unless the Pentagon chief resigns first.
Massie intends to use a privileged resolution, a procedure that can compel a vote even if party leaders object. Once such a resolution is filed, lawmakers generally have two legislative days to act. Before voting on the measure itself, however, the House can vote to set it aside or send it to committee, which would effectively stop it from advancing.
That preliminary procedural vote is often where privileged resolutions falter. Still, several Republicans said they think this effort could succeed. “If he introduces it, it’ll pass,” one lawmaker said. Two others expressed a similar view.
Attendance could matter. One Republican noted that some lawmakers who lost their races may not return for the final weeks of the year. With the House majority so narrow, even a small number of absences could make a difference if Democrats unite behind impeachment.
Democrats were projected to take control of the House late Tuesday. The Iran war and the administration’s tariff policies were among the issues believed to have contributed to voters’ rejection of Republicans.
President Donald Trump has said he thinks Hegseth is doing “a good job,” but some people close to the administration suggest the secretary’s position may be at risk. A former White House official said Hegseth was “on the chopping block.” A current official said the election results might have been different without the Iran war and predicted Trump would eventually hold Hegseth responsible during the transition period before the new Congress takes office.
The White House pushed back against the impeachment talk. Spokeswoman Lauren Bis said Trump was willing to work with anyone to deliver results for Americans, but argued that pursuing what she called baseless investigations and “radical left policies” would work against the public.
Another White House official warned that Democrats would be abusing their authority if they used investigations and subpoenas for political purposes, adding that Republicans still control the federal government.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell dismissed speculation that Trump might remove Hegseth. He said the secretary would not be deterred by what he described as partisan attacks, and that the department had followed the law. Hegseth, Parnell said, would continue leading the military and defending the Constitution.
Most House Republicans are still expected to oppose impeachment, and some remain doubtful that the effort will gain traction. “I really doubt it,” one Republican said, adding that lawmakers might be reluctant to openly defy the president on their way out of office.
Democratic support is likely to be stronger. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is expected to become speaker, has repeatedly criticized Hegseth. On Thursday, he asked publicly why the secretary was still in his position.
Some more moderate Democrats have also backed removing Hegseth, arguing that the administration did not seek congressional approval during the conflict. Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, who is expected to lead the House Armed Services Committee next year, said last month that he had long considered Hegseth unqualified and expected lawmakers to pursue his removal.
Even if the House impeaches Hegseth, he would remain in office unless the Senate convicts him after a trial.
