Massie Files Articles Of Impeachment Against Hegseth Over Iran Hostilities, Forcing House Vote

WASHINGTON D.C (VINnews) — Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., introduced articles of impeachment Tuesday against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of carrying out unauthorized hostilities against Iran in violation of the War Powers Resolution of 1973.

Massie, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, announced the privileged resolution on the House floor. Privileged status means the chamber must take it up within two legislative days, though Republican leaders can move to table the measure.

The Kentucky Republican said Hegseth executed “unlawful orders” by waging and continuing the Iran campaign without a declaration of war, statutory authorization, or an attack on the United States. The 1973 law generally requires congressional approval for U.S. forces to remain in hostilities beyond 60 days, with a possible 30-day withdrawal window.

“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 in a statement. He added that Hegseth “has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to the Constitution if allowed to remain in office.”

The resolution lists eight articles. The first three focus on the Iran campaign: initiating hostilities without legal authority; continuing them after Congress passed concurrent resolutions directing the removal of U.S. forces; and remaining in the conflict after the statutory deadline expired.

Additional articles allege other misconduct, including failure to minimize civilian casualties, unauthorized lethal strikes against suspected drug traffickers, retaliation against Sen. Mark Kelly over protected speech, the seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, and unauthorized operations in Yemen.

Massie has long opposed the Iran conflict and previously joined Democrats on war-powers measures. Both the House and Senate approved resolutions earlier this year calling on President Donald Trump to end U.S. involvement. The administration has argued that an initial phase of fighting concluded and that talks continue aimed at ending Iran’s nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Republicans control both chambers. Massie, a fiscal conservative who frequently breaks with party leadership, lost his primary to a Trump-backed challenger and is serving out his term. The vote would revive debate over congressional war powers weeks before the midterm elections.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.