Hegseth faces impeachment over Iran war without congressional approval.
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie has introduced eight articles of impeachment against US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of conducting the war against Iran without congressional authorisation and abusing his powers as head of the Pentagon.
The Kentucky lawmaker, an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, introduced the resolution on Monday as pressure mounts on the Trump administration over the Iran war. Massie is using a special procedure that could bring the resolution to a vote in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives within two days.
Trump has defended Hegseth, telling reporters at the White House that the Defence Secretary had done a “good job” and had “won” the wars in Venezuela and Iran. “I’ll stand by him… He won two wars. He was in charge,” Trump said.
Hegseth sought to dismiss speculation about the impeachment effort earlier on Monday, saying his team was not concerned by the criticism. “My team, we’re not worried about the noise,” he told reporters.
He also announced plans to hold a press conference on Tuesday, his first in more than 180 days, and defended the war as necessary despite opposition to the conflict. The impeachment initiative has received support from Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries, who backed the resolution on Sunday.
“I’m a hard yes on the Hegseth resolution,” Jeffries told ABC News, adding that Hegseth “has got to go”. Some Republicans have also indicated they may support the charges. Arkansas Congressman French Hill said he wanted to hear the debate before making a decision.
The move comes after Democrats secured victories in both chambers of Congress in last week’s midterm elections, amid public anger over the Iran war and rising fuel prices. Republicans, however, will retain control of Congress until January 3.
Under the US Constitution, impeachment requires a simple majority in the House of Representatives and constitutes the formal filing of charges against an official. Removing Hegseth from office would require a Senate trial and conviction by a two-thirds majority of senators present.
Even with an expanded majority next year, Democrats would need considerable support from Republicans to secure the votes required for his removal.
