US congressman seeks impeachment of Defense Secretary Hegseth
Republican congressman Thomas Massie plans to push for a House vote on impeaching US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He accuses the secretary of breaking the law, but the effort is unlikely to succeed.
Republican congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky plans to force a vote in the US House of Representatives on impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the BBC reports. Impeachment is a procedure aimed at removing senior officials from office. Massie introduced the measure on the evening of 9 November, and the House has had 48 hours since then to decide how to proceed.
Allegations and aim
Massie argues that Hegseth broke the law by engaging in hostilities for more than 90 days without congressional authorization, and should be held accountable. He has been critical of the war in Iran since it began. According to the congressman, he wants President Donald Trump to replace Hegseth himself before Democrats launch their own impeachment process.
Massie first proposed impeaching Hegseth in September. He explained that he wants to pre-empt a Democrat-led effort once that party takes over Congress in January. Trump could then nominate a replacement who could be confirmed while Republicans are still in power. In Massie's view, his approach is far milder than what Democrats would do, as they would also hold trials and interrogations.
Reaction from Hegseth and Trump
Hegseth has called the plan a disgrace and said the attacks happen because his work is effective. He said he will not step down and is not worried about impeachment. He described Massie as a disgruntled, defeated congressman. Trump has signalled he will stand by the secretary, praised the capture of Venezuela's leader earlier this year and defended Hegseth's handling of the war in Iran.
Possible outcomes
Lawmakers can vote on the resolution, refer it to a committee or set it aside for later. Massie's effort will most likely lead nowhere, since Republicans control Congress until January. Impeaching a cabinet secretary is very rare, and removal requires approval by both chambers of Congress. In US history the House has twice moved to impeach a cabinet secretary, but the Senate has never approved one.
