KENTON COUNTY, Ky. — Residents of northern Kentucky had sharply different views of Rep. Thomas Massie’s effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the Iran war. Some saw it as a principled stand; others thought it was driven by resentment toward President Donald Trump.
In Covington, the largest population center in Massie’s district, and nearby communities including Newport and Erlanger, residents also reflected on the Republican congressman’s departure from office.
Richard Hassebrock of Covington said he has disagreed with Massie at times but supports the impeachment effort. He praised the congressman for sticking to his beliefs and said he was disappointed Massie lost his seat.
Craig Cuskey, who works near Covington but lives outside the district in Louisville, took the opposite view. He called the effort spiteful and petty, and said his opinion of Massie had worsened.
The debate followed a House Republican vote to send Massie’s impeachment proposal to committee. The move added to Massie’s long-running disputes with Trump and Republican leaders. Democrats, who are expected to take control of the House in January, have indicated they may pursue impeachment themselves.
Rilla, a Fort Wright resident who gave only her first name, said she thought Massie might be trying to retaliate against Trump. Still, she had previously been proud of him for challenging the president and was disappointed by his defeat.
She also opposed the Iran war, especially any military action undertaken without Congress having a role. In her view, a president should not be able to start a war on his own.
Phil Wiseman of Independence was skeptical that impeachment would achieve much. He also questioned the administration’s military strategy, saying a war should have a clear objective.
Wiseman describes himself as a “RINO,” a label conservatives sometimes use to mean “Republican in Name Only.” He said he voted for an independent candidate rather than Ed Gallrein, the Trump-backed Republican who defeated Massie in the primary.
Military service runs through Wiseman’s family: his father served in the military for 27 years, and his son was a Marine. Wiseman said they had all wondered who was advising Hegseth, and whether sound advice had been ignored. He compared his concerns about the Iran conflict to the United States’ experience in Afghanistan.
Anthony Tuemler, also of Covington, backed impeachment and said Hegseth’s handling of the war violated the Constitution. His view of Massie was less straightforward. Tuemler was glad the congressman was leaving office, but said Massie had been willing to speak up when he thought it mattered.
Randall Thompson of Newport, who was wearing his military uniform for Veterans Day as he walked with his children near Covington’s MainStrasse Village, voiced support for Hegseth and the troops. Thompson said he had served in the same part of Iraq as Hegseth.
Cuskey also defended the defense secretary. He said he had initially doubted Hegseth’s nomination but had become more impressed with his work, adding that Hegseth was carrying out the commander in chief’s orders.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has backed impeaching Hegseth, and other Democrats have said they intend to revisit the secretary’s conduct after taking control of Congress in January. Some lawmakers are also considering investigations or impeachment proceedings involving other senior Trump administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and border czar Tom Homan.
