Massie moves to force House vote on impeaching Pentagon chief Hegseth

Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie moved on Monday to force a vote in the US House of Representatives on impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. France 24 reported that he introduced eight articles of impeachment accusing Hegseth of illegally waging war without congressional authorisation and abusing his powers.

The articles say Hegseth violated the 1973 War Powers Resolution. They also allege misconduct involving civilian casualties and military operations in Yemen and Venezuela. The Pentagon has rejected the accusations. Massie is using a special procedure that requires the House to consider the resolution within two legislative days, and France 24 said a vote could come as early as Wednesday.

Opponents say Hegseth went ahead with the Operation Epic Fury airstrikes on Iran, which began on February 28, without first seeking congressional approval, as the War Powers Resolution requires, according to The Independent.

House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries said on ABC News' This Week that he backs the effort. "I'm a hard yes on the Hegseth resolution," he said, and added: "Pete Hegseth has got to go." Democrats won majorities in both chambers of Congress at the midterms held last week. The Independent reported that a number of Republicans have signalled they could join them.

Not all Republicans have decided. Arkansas congressman French Hill said he wanted to hear the debate before deciding whether the accusations justified impeachment. Republicans keep control of Congress until newly elected lawmakers take office on January 3. Massie lost his own primary to a Trump-backed candidate.

Impeachment by the House would not automatically remove Hegseth. Conviction would require a two-thirds majority in the Senate. Only two Cabinet secretaries in US history have been impeached, and neither was removed by the Senate.

President Donald Trump told Reuters on Monday: "Well, he won two wars. I don't know how you can impeach him," Trump said. Hegseth dismissed Massie's effort as a sham and called Massie disgruntled. Speaking to reporters, he said he was eager to litigate the actions taken in Iran, against Yemen's Houthis and in Venezuela. The Pentagon announced a rare press briefing by Hegseth for Tuesday.