Thomas Massie introduced eight articles against Hegseth on Monday
Pete Hegseth rejected Republican lawmaker Thomas Massie’s effort to impeach him at a press conference in Washington on November 10, 2026. The defense secretary called the move a “political spectacle” and accused Massie of trying to stage a “show trial.”
Hegseth said the pursuit was being carried out by political opponents of Donald Trump. “It’s a farce, and it’s a stunt, and everybody knows it,” he said.
Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth on Monday in a move intended to force a vote.
Massie accused Hegseth of illegally waging war without congressional authorization and abusing his powers.
Massie is an outgoing congressman. He lost his Republican primary earlier this year to a Trump-backed rival.
At Tuesday’s press conference, Hegseth said the move “puts a target on the back of American warriors.”
He said, “This is not patriotism,” and, “This is sabotage.”
Massie’s eight articles centered on allegations of war without congressional authorization and abuse of office. Hegseth’s response focused on the effort’s political character, his claim that Trump’s political opponents were behind it, and the risk he said it posed to American warriors.