Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced a resolution on Monday, November 9, 2026, to force a House vote on the impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The resolution focuses on Hegseth’s leadership during the war in Iran and includes references to U.S. military operations in Yemen and Venezuela. According to House procedures, a vote on the measure could occur as early as mid-week.
The push for impeachment follows recent midterm elections in which Republicans lost control of Congress. Rep. Massie moved forward with the resolution despite objections from House Republican leadership. Public sentiment appears divided on the conflict; an AP Voter Poll of more than 100,000 voters indicated that approximately 60% believe the U.S. made the "wrong decision" regarding military action against Iran.
Defense Secretary Hegseth defended his record during a speech at the Naval War College, describing the impeachment effort as "noise" and "politically motivated." He stated he was eager to litigate the administration's actions, which included the war in Iran (code-named Epic Fury), strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen (code-named Rough Rider), and the apprehension of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. President Donald Trump also defended Hegseth on Sunday, November 8, stating that the Secretary was responsible for "winning two wars."
The scale of the conflict's impact is further reflected in the billions of dollars in damage reported at U.S. military bases in the Middle East due to Iranian strikes. On a policy level, the resolution marks a public break between Rep. Massie and his party's leadership, setting a precedent for how individual members may use privileged resolutions to challenge their own administration's cabinet officials following electoral losses. The outcome of the vote will determine whether the House formalizes charges against Hegseth, which would then move to the Senate for a trial.
What happens next: Secretary Hegseth is scheduled to hold his first news conference in over 180 days on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, to address the impeachment threat. He stated that future steps in the war remain at the discretion of President Trump, specifically regarding the monitoring of Iran's nuclear material. The House is expected to take up the resolution for a potential vote by Wednesday or Thursday of this week. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran currently holds 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity.