Washington: US Republican Congressman Thomas Massie has introduced eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, seeking to force the House of Representatives to vote on removing President Donald Trump’s top defence official.
Massie, a Kentucky Republican, filed the impeachment resolution on Tuesday, accusing Hegseth of violating US law and exceeding his constitutional authority in several military operations.
Three of the eight articles focus on the US war in Iran. Massie alleges that Hegseth has continued military hostilities without congressional authorization and violated multiple provisions of the War Powers Resolution of 1973.
The resolution also accuses Hegseth of failing to comply with laws concerning civilian casualties, authorizing alleged extrajudicial killings during operations against suspected drug traffickers, and retaliating against Senator Mark Kelly over his criticism of military orders.
Another article concerns the US operation targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, while a further article accuses Hegseth of launching military operations in Yemen without proper congressional authorization.
Massie has argued that Congress, rather than the executive branch alone, must exercise its constitutional authority over decisions to wage war.
The Pentagon has rejected the allegations and defended Hegseth’s leadership. Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson said the department remained united behind the defence secretary and would continue prioritizing US service members and national interests.
Because Massie introduced the measure as a privileged resolution, the House is required under its rules to take action on it within two legislative days, although House leaders can seek to delay or table the resolution.
The impeachment effort does not mean Hegseth has been impeached. The House would first have to approve articles of impeachment before the matter could proceed to a trial in the Senate.
Reuters reported that the measure faces significant obstacles in the Republican-controlled House.