U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth faces a possible impeachment vote in Congress over the Trump administration's war against Iran and allegations of abuse of power.
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth on Monday (9 November), setting the stage for a possible House of Representatives vote within two days.
The charges include waging war against Iran without congressional authorisation and violating the free speech rights of Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona.
Massie warned that Republican leaders could use procedural manoeuvres to prevent a vote.
“We should have a vote and a rigorous debate on these eight articles of impeachment,” he told reporters.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has opposed the move, warning that impeaching Hegseth during military hostilities could send a damaging message to U.S. allies and adversaries.
U.S. President Donald Trump has strongly backed his defence secretary, dismissing calls for his removal.
“Well, he won two wars. I don't know how you can impeach him,” Trump said on Monday, referring to U.S. military operations in Venezuela and Iran.
Trump later pledged to stand by Hegseth even if the House voted to impeach him, calling Massie a “stone-cold loser.”
Hegseth has also brushed aside the threat.
“We're not worried about that,” he said on Monday.
In a video message last week, Hegseth drew parallels between the impeachment effort and the two proceedings brought against Trump.
“It didn't work against President Trump, and it won't work with me,” Hegseth said.
The move echoes the case of William Belknap, a 19th-century U.S. Secretary of War who became the only cabinet secretary in American history to be impeached.
Belknap was impeached by the House in 1876 over allegations that he accepted payments in exchange for government contracts.
Although he resigned shortly before the vote, lawmakers pressed ahead with impeachment. The Senate later acquitted him after failing to reach the two-thirds majority needed for conviction.
The impeachment effort comes amid deepening political divisions over the Iran war, which helped fuel Democratic victories in last week's midterm elections.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has expressed support for impeachment, while Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has called for Hegseth to stand trial.
Massie has warned that Hegseth could face additional scrutiny once Democrats take control of the House in January.
Democrats have also pledged to investigate the dismissal of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other senior military commanders.
However, removing Hegseth from office remains unlikely. A Senate conviction would require a two-thirds majority, while Republicans currently control 53 of the chamber's 100 seats.
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