Massie Moves to Force House Vote on Impeaching Hegseth Over Iran War

U.S. Representative Thomas Massie announced on November 9 that he was moving to force a House vote on eight impeachment charges against Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth. The Kentucky Republican, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, accused Hegseth of violating the War Powers Resolution of 1973 in conducting the war with Iran. The first three charges allege that Iran hostilities began without congressional authorization or a qualifying attack or imminent threat; continued after both chambers directed withdrawal through H. Con. Res. 86; and exceeded the law's 60-day termination period and possible 30-day withdrawal period. Massie's other charges concern civilian-protection laws, lethal targeting of suspected drug traffickers, alleged retaliation against Senator Mark Kelly over protected speech, the seizure of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores in Venezuela during Operation ABSOLUTE RESOLVE, and Operation ROUGH RIDER in Yemen. Massie called on President Donald Trump to dismiss Hegseth, saying: “President Trump should replace Secretary Hegseth now while he can still get a replacement confirmed in the Senate.” Massie had announced an earlier eight-charge impeachment effort on September 15. He argued that his effort was gentler than the investigations and proceedings he expected Democrats to pursue next year.