Republican Moves to Impeach Trump’s Defence Secretary

• Trump’s Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, faces an impeachment push led by Republican Thomas Massie over allegations that he implemented unlawful orders to attack Iran.

A Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, Thomas Massie, has introduced articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump’s Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, over his handling of the war with Iran.

Massie, who represents Kentucky, presented the articles on the House floor on Monday, accusing Hegseth of abusing his office and implementing unlawful orders to launch military action against a foreign country.

A House vote on the move is reportedly expected by Wednesday.

The proceedings could place Hegseth at the centre of a congressional confrontation as criticism grows over the war and its political consequences.

Massie accuses Hegseth of violating constitutional duties

Presenting his case, Massie alleged that the defence secretary had “knowingly executed and implemented unlawful orders to initiate war against a foreign nation”.

He argued that Hegseth’s conduct made him unfit to remain in office.

“Secretary of Defence Peter Hegseth, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with his duties and the rule of law,” Massie said.

The accusations form the basis of the impeachment effort. The House has yet to determine whether to approve the articles.

Iran war fuels Republican criticism

The move follows the Republican Party’s poor performance in the 2026 midterm elections, with some lawmakers and political allies blaming the conflict with Iran for the setback.

Republican critics have accused Hegseth of helping persuade Trump to launch the attack without a clear exit strategy.

They have also questioned whether the defence secretary overstated how quickly the United States could achieve its military objectives.

Vice President JD Vance attributed Republican losses to the war, while Trump acknowledged that the conflict contributed to higher petrol prices.

The President nevertheless defended the decision to attack Iran.

Trump stands by defence secretary

Trump has continued to support Hegseth and rejected suggestions that he should be removed from office.

Hegseth has also remained defiant and is expected to address the controversy at a news conference on Tuesday.

His response will come as lawmakers consider whether the allegations warrant impeachment.

House vote would not automatically remove Hegseth

Impeachment requires a simple majority in the House of Representatives. If the House approves the articles, removal from office would require a subsequent conviction by a two-thirds majority in the Senate.

The effort could gain support in the House if Democrats join Massie and other Republicans backing the move.

However, securing the Senate votes needed for conviction would present a substantially higher hurdle.

Who is Pete Hegseth?

Hegseth, 46, is a former television presenter and US Army National Guard officer who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay.

He graduated from Princeton University in 2003 and later earned a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University.

The impeachment push now places his conduct as defence secretary under congressional scrutiny while Trump continues to defend his leadership of the Pentagon.