Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) stated on Monday, October 26, 2026, that he will reintroduce articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth if Hegseth remains in his position after the November midterm elections. Massie originally introduced a 34-page resolution for impeachment in September 2026, citing the ongoing war in Iran and military actions in other regions.
The effort follows months of tension between the Trump administration and members of Congress regarding military authorization. In February 2026, the United States initiated strikes on Iran, a conflict the administration stated was necessary to prevent the development of nuclear weapons. Massie and other critics have argued the war was initiated without congressional approval and has continued despite the passage of an Iran War Powers Resolution directing the removal of troops.
The impeachment articles allege "high crimes and misdemeanors," including the illegal conduct of the war, defiance of congressional withdrawal orders, and the removal of systems intended to minimize civilian casualties. Specific incidents cited include a strike on a school in Minab that reportedly killed more than 100 children and boat strikes targeting suspected drug traffickers that resulted in at least 227 deaths. Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson has defended Hegseth, describing him as a "transformative leader" who has "slashed bureaucracy" and put "America first."
The procedural push by Massie, who is leaving office after losing his May primary to a candidate backed by President Trump, could force members of both parties to take a definitive stand on the war just as Congress returns for its post-election session. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has indicated that Democrats intend to seek Hegseth's removal if they secure a majority in the midterms. In the Senate, Democrats have suggested Hegseth’s departure might be a requirement for cooperation on defense legislation during the lame-duck session, potentially finding allies among Republicans who have criticized Hegseth’s removal of military leaders.
The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the impeachment resolution when it returns to Washington, D.C., in November 2026. While Republicans currently hold enough votes to potentially defeat the measure, the outcome remains uncertain as leadership may move to prevent a direct floor vote. If the resolution is not acted upon before the current Congress expires, the impeachment process would need to be restarted by the newly elected Congress in 2027. Currently, the administration maintains the conflict is nearing completion, though no specific end date has been established.