Defense Chief Faces Impeachment Vote Over Unauthorized Iran War Operations
Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment on November 9, 2026, against US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for illegally waging war without congressional authorization. Congressional lawmakers could vote on the measure as early as Wednesday, setting up a high-stakes floor vote following recent midterm election losses for the Republican Party.
Massie accused the Pentagon chief of violating the 1973 War Powers Resolution by launching unauthorized military operations in Iran, while also alleging misconduct involving operations and civilian casualties in Yemen and Venezuela. House Republican leadership expects enough internal defections to potentially pass the impeachment resolution alongside Democratic support, though removing Hegseth from office would still require a two-thirds conviction vote in the Senate.
The Pentagon rejected the accusations, while President Donald Trump publicly backed Hegseth on Monday, pointing to military actions in Iran and the January raid that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. If passed by the House, the trial would move to the Senate, where Democratic lawmakers are set to take control of the chamber in January.
The resolution marks a major congressional challenge to executive war powers during active military operations in the Middle East.
