Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday, November 9, 2026. The resolution, which includes eight articles, accuses Hegseth of abusing his office and waging war against Iran without congressional authorization. The move follows recent midterm elections in which Republicans lost control of Congress, an outcome some lawmakers and Vice President JD Vance have attributed to the war's impact on energy prices and the cost of living.
Massie’s resolution marks the second time he has attempted to impeach the defense secretary, following an initial filing in September that GOP leaders postponed. Under House rules, this new introduction forces a vote within two legislative days. The 34-page document alleges that Hegseth ignored laws designed to minimize civilian casualties, specifically citing a strike on an Iranian school. It further references military actions in Yemen and Venezuela, including the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and the scrutiny of Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) regarding free speech.
Hegseth dismissed the effort as "political theater" and "noise" during comments made on Monday. He defended the administration’s military strategy, stating that the war was necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. President Donald Trump also defended Hegseth, telling reporters on Sunday night that "it’s awfully hard to say let’s impeach somebody" who "saved the Middle East and Israel combined." Hegseth stated he will hold a news conference on Tuesday morning to address the impeachment threat.
The scale of the conflict's impact is reflected in both economic data and voter sentiment. An AP Voter Poll of more than 100,000 voters found that roughly 6 in 10 voters believe the U.S. made the "wrong decision" regarding military action in Iran. The war has resulted in billions of dollars in damage to U.S. military bases and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil previously flowed. These disruptions have directly affected households through higher energy prices and increased costs of living, which became a central issue during the 2026 midterm elections.
For service members and federal employees, the proceedings could signal shifts in military policy or leadership stability during the final weeks of the current Congress. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has indicated he is a "hard yes" on the impeachment effort. What happens next depends on the House floor schedule; a vote is expected by mid-week. If the House approves any of the eight articles, the process would move to a trial in the Senate, where a two-thirds majority is required for removal from office. Hegseth's scheduled news conference on Tuesday, November 10, is expected to be his first in over 180 days.