Representative Thomas Massie cites unauthorized warfare and disregard for civilian safety in his push to hold the Pentagon chief accountable.
Published On 15 Sep 2026
US Republican Representative Thomas Massie, a vocal opponent of the Trump administration’s military actions against Iran, has introduced a resolution in Congress aimed at forcing an impeachment vote against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
On Tuesday, Massie presented articles of impeachment on the House floor. He accused the defense secretary of conducting military operations without proper congressional authorization, authorizing extrajudicial killings, and ignoring civilian casualties during overseas engagements.
“Secretary Hegseth abused the powers entrusted to him as secretary of defense by subordinating the constitutional limits on the use of military force and the laws governing the conduct of hostilities to his own policy objectives,” Massie stated. He further argued that Hegseth demonstrated a “profound disregard” for the human cost of American military campaigns.
The defense secretary has drawn significant backlash over the joint US-Israel military campaign in Iran. Hegseth has also faced scrutiny for previously mocking protocols designed to protect civilians and ensure legal compliance among US troops, having dismissed these rules of engagement as “stupid” and “politically correct” obstacles to military effectiveness.
Although the impeachment resolution may be brought to a vote shortly, its chances of passing the Republican-controlled House of Representatives remain extremely slim.
The Pentagon has publicly reiterated its support for Hegseth. “The entire Department is unified behind the Secretary’s vision and will continue working to put our warfighters and America first,” Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson stated in an email to Reuters.
Despite polling indicating that a majority of Republicans back the generally unpopular conflict with Iran, a small faction of conservative figures—such as Massie and media commentator Tucker Carlson—has grown increasingly vocal against the administration’s interventionist stance.
President Donald Trump, who campaigned in 2024 on a promise to reduce American involvement in foreign conflicts, has previously criticized Massie for his anti-war position and his attempts to compel the government to release the Epstein files.
Massie ultimately lost his primary election in May, defeated by a Trump-endorsed challenger and substantial financial backing from pro-Israel advocacy groups.