Since losing to Trump-backed Ed Gallrein, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky has sharply criticized the administration. Now he is pushing to impeach War Secretary Pete Hegseth over the Iran conflict, the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and strikes on boats suspected of carrying drug smugglers. Democrats support the effort, and some Republicans appear open to it as well.
Massie’s resolution uses language similar to Democrats’ criticisms of President Donald Trump’s foreign policy. It accuses Hegseth of “kidnapping” Maduro, faults him for failing to provide timely rescue for people described as alleged drug traffickers after last year’s boat strikes, and calls the secretary a threat to civilians. The measure argues that Hegseth committed “high crimes and misdemeanors” and calls for his removal and disqualification from future office.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said Sunday he strongly supports the resolution. He accused Hegseth of abusing his authority and weakening national security, and said the Iran war had driven up costs for Americans while making the country less safe. “Pete Hegseth has got to go,” Jeffries said.
Some Republicans are also willing to consider the measure. Rep. French Hill of Arkansas said he wanted to hear the debate before deciding whether impeachment was warranted, or whether another form of discipline or presidential action would be more appropriate.
Hill recently won re-election by 1.74 percentage points, a narrower margin than his 17.86-point victory in 2024. Four House Republicans, speaking anonymously, predicted the impeachment resolution would pass when it comes up for a vote. One reportedly summed up Hegseth’s prospects bluntly: “He’s screwed.”
Other Republicans nearing the end of their time in office have also criticized the secretary. Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska said Hegseth had few allies in Congress and suggested the Pentagon could be led by more qualified people. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina has said Hegseth should leave, whether through impeachment or by being replaced by Trump. Tillis has also called his vote to confirm Hegseth his biggest regret.
Trump defended Hegseth in a Sunday interview and said he continued to have confidence in him.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Hegseth would not be deterred by what he called partisan attacks or investigations unsupported by evidence. He said the department had followed the law and that Hegseth would continue serving, leading troops and carrying out the administration’s agenda through the end of Trump’s term.
Massie’s office referred questions to a post he published Monday, in which he reaffirmed his support for the impeachment resolution.
