Massie Plans Hegseth Impeachment Push as House Returns

The latest

November 8, 2026, at 9 a.m. Central time.

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie plans to force a House vote on impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth when lawmakers return, setting up a politically difficult decision for Republicans after their midterm election losses.

The Kentucky congressman has accused Hegseth of violating congressional war powers in the U.S. campaign against Iran. Hegseth and the Pentagon reject wrongdoing. The outcome of any House vote remains uncertain, and impeachment would not itself remove him from office.

The planned vote

Massie told CNN he intended to trigger a vote when Congress returns. He previously told Roll Call he would seek action during the week of November 9 if Hegseth remained in office.

Republican leaders are preparing for the possibility that enough members of their party could support impeachment, Axios reported. That is an assessment of the political situation, not a confirmed vote count. Axios said Rep. Don Bacon, a retiring Nebraska Republican, had not decided how to vote.

Massie outlined eight proposed articles on the House floor in September, according to the Congressional Record. Roll Call reported that his allegations include claims about military operations and the treatment of civilians. The accusations are contested, not findings of wrongdoing.

Hegseth's response and what comes next

Hegseth has called the effort a sham. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told Axios that the department had followed the law and that Hegseth would continue in his role. President Donald Trump said after the election that he intended to keep Hegseth, AP reported.

If a resolution is introduced as privileged and qualifies under House rules, leaders must address it within two legislative days; the House can consider a motion to table it instead of voting directly on the articles, Roll Call explains. A House impeachment would send the matter to the Senate, where a two-thirds vote of senators present would be required for conviction and removal.

Key dates

September 16: Massie discussed the proposed articles on the House floor. Week of November 9: Massie has said he plans to seek action when the House returns. Dates are U.S. local time; no exact vote time has been confirmed.

Sources and visual credits

Axios · CNN via KOLO · Roll Call · Congressional Record · Associated Press.

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