Republican Congressman Thomas Massie on Monday moved to force a vote in the US House of Representatives on impeaching defence secretary Pete Hegseth, putting pressure on fellow Republicans to take a stand on the future of one of President Donald Trump’s key Cabinet members.The move comes days after sweeping midterm election losses cost Republicans control of both chambers of Congress, raising the prospect of a broader Democratic push to hold Hegseth accountable for the administration’s war in Iran.Hegseth, meanwhile, has dismissed the impeachment threat, saying he is “not worried” about the move and is prepared to defend the Trump administration’s military actions in Iran.Speaking to reporters on Tuesday after delivering a speech at the Naval War College in Rhode Island, Hegseth described the impeachment push as politically motivated and said his critics disagreed with the administration’s record.“There’s a lot of politically motivated people who may have substantial policy disagreements, but their disagreements are with success,” he said.He added that he was willing to defend the administration’s military decisions, saying, “if we want to litigate” the military actions that the Trump administration has taken, “I’m happy to do it all day long.”“We’re not worried about that,” Hegseth had said on Monday when asked about the impending resolution, adding that he would address the issue at a news conference on Tuesday.Massie, a Kentucky Republican who has been critical of President Donald Trump and the war in Iran, said Hegseth had violated the law by continuing military operations for more than 90 days without congressional approval.“By engaging in hostilities in Iran for more than 90 days without congressional authorization, Secretary Hegseth is breaking the law and must be held accountable,” Massie said.The congressman first introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth in September and is now pushing for a vote following last week’s midterm elections, in which Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress. Republicans will retain control until January, when the new Congress takes office.Massie said his move was intended to press Trump to replace Hegseth before Democrats take control and launch their own impeachment proceedings.“My effort to impeach Secretary Hegseth is a much gentler version of what’s coming when the Democrats assume control of the House and Senate next year,” Massie said in a statement. “They will hold hearings and trials.”“President Trump should replace Secretary Hegseth now while he can still get a replacement confirmed in the Senate,” he added.The impeachment effort is expected to face an uphill battle, although Massie is likely to receive support from Democrats. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Sunday that he is a “hard yes” on impeaching Hegseth. However, Massie would still need support from members of his own party.Massie has also accused Hegseth of intimidating critics of the Trump administration, kidnapping foreign leaders and disregarding congressional resolutions on war powers.The House has passed a War Powers resolution multiple times this year seeking to prevent Trump from taking further military action in Iran, with Massie supporting the measures.Under House rules, Speaker Mike Johnson must schedule consideration of Massie’s resolution within two days of its introduction, which was expected later on Monday. The House can vote on the resolution, refer it to a committee or set it aside.Impeachment of a Cabinet secretary is rare. The House has voted to impeach only two Cabinet members in US history, but the Senate did not agree to remove either of them. Removing Hegseth would require approval from both chambers.Meanwhile, Hegseth defended the administration’s decision to launch military action against Iran, arguing that it was necessary to confront Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.“Someone had to confront the Iranian regime’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon,” he said, adding that “the choice was don’t act and wish it away or take a bold move.”Asked about Vice President JD Vance attributing the Republicans’ midterm losses partly to the Iran war, Hegseth pointed to Trump’s statement that he would take the same action again, saying, “I agree.”He also echoed a position expressed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio a day earlier, saying, “It doesn’t have to be necessarily popular, but it can be necessary.”
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