Massie Moves to Impeach Hegseth as Defense Chief Shrugs Off Push
WHO:
NPR - Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, filed articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
NPR - The resolution accuses Hegseth of “high crimes and misdemeanors” and lists eight charges.
NPR - Rep. Mark Kelly, a Democratic senator from Arizona, was involved in a charge alleging suppression of free speech over a video telling service members they can refuse illegal orders.
NPR - Hegseth campaigned for Ed Gallrein during the Republican primary; Gallrein defeated Massie.
NPR - Massie described himself as “a defeated congressman” but said, “I’m not disgruntled.”
NPR - Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, called an early recess to avoid a vote on Massie’s earlier resolution.
NPR - Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat identified as the presumptive next House speaker, signaled support for an impeachment effort.
NPR - Rep. Warren Davidson, an Ohio Republican, said impeachment would be a mistake and could be hypocritical.
WTNH - Hegseth said he was “not worried” about the impeachment push and planned a Pentagon press conference.
NBC News Politics - Rep. Pete Aguilar, a California Democrat and House Democratic Caucus chair, discussed the newly introduced articles and Democrats’ priorities in the new Congress.
WHAT:
BBC - At least 54 Senate seats are likely to be held by Democrats when they take over in January; two Senate races had no winners because of slim voting margins.
BBC - Convicting and removing an official requires 60 Senate votes.
NPR - The eight charges allege three violations of the War Powers Resolution through waging war against Iran; disregard of laws intended to minimize civilian casualties; “extrajudicial killings” in strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean; suppression of free speech; Nicolás Maduro’s capture without congressional authorization; and illegally waging war against Yemen in violation of the War Powers Resolution.
NPR - Hegseth called Massie’s effort “sham articles of impeachment” and said, “Didn’t work against President Trump and it won’t work with me.”
NPR - Massie said impeachment is “just firing someone, really,” and that it does not result in prison, jail, or a fine.
NPR - Massie said the effort concerns “the balance of power between the executive branch and Congress.”
NPR - The House could have enough votes to impeach if all Democrats, Massie, and several Republicans support it; conviction and removal in the Senate require a two-thirds vote.
WHERE:
NPR - The planned press conference is at the Pentagon; the alleged strikes occurred in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean.
WHEN:
BBC - Democrats are expected to take over in January.
NPR - Massie reintroduced the resolution Monday; a House vote was expected within two days.
WTNH - Hegseth said he planned a Pentagon press conference Tuesday morning.
WHY:
NPR - Massie said the effort highlights whether Congress has meaningful war powers; he said presidents of both parties have largely ignored the War Powers Resolution.
HOW:
NPR - Massie’s earlier resolution expired after Johnson called an early recess to avoid a vote, prompting Massie to reintroduce it.
NPR - Davidson said lawmakers seeking changes could use Congress’s power of the purse to withhold funding from the conflict.
(UPDATED November 10, 2026 01:06 UTC)
Republican Representative Thomas Massie introduced eight impeachment charges against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. They allege unauthorized wars, civilian casualties, drug-boat killings, and suppression of free speech. Hegseth dismissed the effort; conviction and removal would require two-thirds of Senate votes.
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(UPDATED November 10, 2026 00:06 UTC)
Republican Representative Thomas Massie filed eight impeachment charges against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The charges allege unauthorized wars, civilian harm, killings, and suppression of free speech. Hegseth dismissed the effort, while lawmakers remain divided over its prospects.