President Trump criticized Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) on Monday, November 9, 2026, after the congressman introduced eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. During a surprise appearance in the White House briefing room, Trump called Massie a "stone-cold loser" and said he would continue to support Hegseth even if the House of Representatives votes to impeach the Pentagon chief.
The impeachment effort follows a period of military activity involving the Iran war and operations in Venezuela and Yemen. Massie previously attempted to oust Hegseth in September 2026, but House Republican leaders blocked the move by ending the legislative session early for the pre-midterm recess. The current effort comes shortly after the 2026 midterm elections, in which Republicans experienced losses that some commentators described as a referendum on the Iran conflict.
Massie read the impeachment charges on the House floor at approximately 2:00 p.m. on Monday. The articles accuse Hegseth of violating the War Powers Resolution of 1973, failing to minimize civilian casualties, conducting extrajudicial killings, and suppressing free speech. Specifically, Massie cited the seizure of the Venezuelan president, the extrajudicial killing of alleged drug smugglers in international waters, and alleged retaliation against Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ). Hegseth has dismissed the charges as "sham articles of impeachment."
The scale of the legislative impact involves the entire U.S. House of Representatives, where a vote is expected later this week. Under House rules, leadership now has a two-day window to either table the resolution, refer it to a committee, or permit a direct floor vote. The shift in political dynamics following the midterms means dozens of outgoing Republican incumbents, who are no longer facing reelection, may vote differently than they would have prior to the election. This specific group of "lame duck" lawmakers could provide the votes necessary to advance the impeachment in a way that was previously blocked by party leadership.
For the general public, the primary change would be observed in the administration's military policy and the legal standing of actions taken during the Iran war. If the impeachment succeeds, it sets a precedent for using the War Powers Resolution to challenge cabinet-level officials for specific theater operations. A change in Defense leadership could lead to shifts in military strategy or troop deployments, though the exact timing of such changes would depend on the Senate's response to any House action. Defense Secretary Hegseth is scheduled to hold a press conference on Tuesday, November 10, to address the allegations directly.
Trump defended Hegseth's record during the briefing, stating that the secretary had "won two wars" and made the world safer. When pressed by CNN's Kaitlan Collins regarding Massie's allegations of illegal acts, Trump reiterated his personal criticism of both the congressman and the news network. Massie, who is serving his final term after his primary defeat earlier this year, said he intends to force the vote despite the president's opposition. The House is expected to take up the matter before the end of the week.