Massie alleges Hegseth violated the Constitution and ignored war powers

Hegseth plans a Tuesday response; Johnson has two days to schedule action

Representative Thomas Massie has accused Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth of ignoring congressional war powers resolutions, intimidating critics of the Trump administration and kidnapping foreign leaders. The allegations extend beyond Massie’s claim that Hegseth violated the US Constitution by engaging in hostilities in Iran without congressional authorization.

Massie alleges that Hegseth engaged in hostilities in Iran for more than 90 days without authorization. “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.

Massie plans to force a House vote this week, and his resolution was expected later Monday. Once Massie introduces the resolution, Johnson must schedule a time for the House to consider it within two days. The House can vote directly on the resolution, refer it to committee or set it aside.

Hegseth said he was not concerned about the impending resolution. Asked by reporters on Monday, he said, “We’re not worried about that,” and said he would hold a Tuesday morning news conference “on that very topic.” His last news conference was in May.

BBC News reported that Massie was likely to have Democratic support, with party leader Hakeem Jeffries saying on Sunday that he was a “hard yes” on impeachment. Massie would still need to win over members of his own party. The Kentucky congressman, who lost re-election earlier this year, is among the few Republicans who have been critical of Trump and the war that started earlier this year in Iran.

BBC News reported that Massie’s effort was likely to fail because Republicans remain in power in Congress until January. Massie first introduced impeachment articles in September and is pressing for a vote after Republicans lost control of both the House and Senate in last week’s midterm elections.

Impeaching a cabinet secretary is very rare, and removal requires approval by both chambers. The House has voted to impeach only two cabinet members in US history, and the Senate did not agree in either case.

Massie said his effort was intended to pressure President Donald Trump to replace Hegseth before Democrats could launch an impeachment process and to prevent what he called a Democrat spectacle next year. “My effort to impeach Secretary Hegseth is a much gentler version of what’s coming when the Democrats assume control of the House and Senate next year,” Massie said in a statement. “They will hold hearings and trials.” He also said, “President Trump should replace Secretary Hegseth now while he can still get a replacement confirmed in the Senate.”

The House has passed War Powers resolutions multiple times this year seeking to halt Trump from taking further military action in Iran, with Massie’s support. Massie also accused Hegseth of ignoring congressional war powers resolutions.

BBC News also reported that the White House denied Hegseth and Rubio were leaving their jobs after Republican election losses.