Republican Massie pushes for Hegseth impeachment over Iran war

The US House of Representatives is set to vote this week on a proposal by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie to begin impeachment proceedings against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The Kentucky lawmaker submitted a 34-page document to the House outlining several accusations against Hegseth. The central charge concerns the deployment of US armed forces in the war in Iran without authorization from Congress — an action Massie describes as "a blatant violation" of the secretary's official duties and the principles of the rule of law.

Largely symbolic move

While Massie's proposal has little practical chance of success, since Republicans hold a narrow majority in both chambers of Congress and the party is unlikely to turn against a defense secretary appointed by Donald Trump, the measure's legal form nonetheless obliges the House to review it and hold a vote this week.

Awkward timing for Republicans

The vote comes at an uncomfortable moment for the party, just weeks before the upcoming US midterm elections. The war in Iran, along with a sharp rise in fuel prices, has already weighed on the Trump administration's approval ratings.

Massie has repeatedly and publicly criticized the Trump administration's policies in the past, and this has not gone unnoticed at the White House. Following a defeat in the Republican primary, the Kentucky lawmaker will soon have to leave office, but before departing he has once again chosen to challenge the party leadership.