Republican congressman Thomas Massie has introduced eight articles of impeachment against US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of defying Congress during the conflict with Iran, suppressing free speech and committing other offences.
Mr Massie, a Kentucky Republican who lost a primary election to a challenger backed by Donald Trump, made the move on Tuesday. He said Mr Hegseth had acted “contrary to his trust as Secretary of Defense and subversive of constitutional government”.
Impeachment articles against Pete Hegseth
Several of the allegations centre on the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which limits a president’s ability to engage US forces in hostilities without congressional approval. The law requires the administration to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying forces into combat when no declaration of war has been authorised.
It limits unauthorised military engagement to 60 days, followed by a further 30-day period for withdrawal. The conflict with Iran began in late February, although the Trump administration has said its initial operation, known as Operation Epic Fury, ended in early May.
Mr Massie said Congress had neither authorised the use of US forces against Iran nor extended the 60-day period. He also said the legislature remained capable of carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
The House has approved measures intended to restrict Mr Trump’s authority to strike Iran, but most have failed to progress in the Republican-controlled Senate. Mr Trump notified Congress on July 10 that military action against Iran had resumed after he declared a month-long ceasefire over.
The president has argued that he does not need congressional approval for the conflict and has called the War Powers Resolution unconstitutional. Under Mr Massie’s motion, the House must vote on the impeachment articles within two days, although they are highly unlikely to advance in the Republican-controlled Congress.
Mr Massie also accused Mr Hegseth of failing to comply with laws intended to minimise civilian casualties. He referred to the bombing of a girls’ school in Iran shortly after the conflict began. A preliminary assessment in March found that the United States was likely responsible, while concluding that the school had not been deliberately targeted.
Another article concerns the decision to demote Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, a retired Navy captain, after he urged service members to refuse illegal orders. Mr Massie alleged that Mr Hegseth had retaliated against a member of Congress for constitutionally protected speech and tried to punish him for carrying out legislative and oversight duties.
The impeachment articles also refer to US strikes on boats in the Caribbean, the capture of former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and military action against Houthi militants and in Yemen.
Mr Massie has frequently opposed Mr Trump’s foreign policy and joined Democrats in a number of prominent votes. He said he had not told anyone in advance that he intended to introduce the articles because Republican leaders might have cancelled some scheduled voting days.
Kingsley Wilson, the Pentagon press secretary, defended Mr Hegseth, describing him as a “transformative leader” who had “slashed bureaucracy, unleashed innovation, and delivered for our warfighters every step of the way”.
She added: “The entire Department is unified behind the Secretary’s vision and will continue working to put our warfighters and America first.”
