Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces a House vote Tuesday on an impeachment effort led by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, who accuses him of violating federal law through military operations in Iran, Yemen and Venezuela, deadly strikes against suspected drug traffickers and retaliation against a U.S. senator.
Massie, a Kentucky Republican, introduced eight articles of impeachment on November 9, 2026, and is seeking separate votes on each charge if lawmakers reject an initial motion to send the resolution to committee. The House is scheduled to begin voting Tuesday evening, with a final vote on impeachment potentially taking place Wednesday.
Three articles accuse Hegseth of violating the War Powers Resolution of 1973 by conducting military operations against Iran without congressional authorization, disregarding congressional directives to withdraw U.S. forces and continuing hostilities beyond the law's time limits.
The law generally requires military hostilities to end within 60 days without congressional authorization, with an additional 30 days permitted in certain circumstances to withdraw troops. Massie alleges that Hegseth continued directing the Iran campaign after those deadlines expired.
A fourth article accuses the defense secretary of dismantling Pentagon safeguards intended to limit civilian casualties. Massie cites a February 28 strike on a girls' school in Minab, Iran, that killed scores of children and other civilians. The resolution alleges that cuts to civilian-protection programs and the removal of senior military lawyers weakened oversight of military targeting.
Hegseth also faces allegations involving U.S. strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. Massie accuses him of authorizing unlawful killings, including attacks on survivors of earlier strikes, during a campaign that has killed more than 220 people.
The Trump administration has defended the maritime operations as part of its campaign against drug-trafficking organizations.
Another article accuses Hegseth of using his authority to retaliate against Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, a retired Navy pilot who joined other lawmakers in urging military personnel to refuse unlawful orders. The resolution cites disciplinary proceedings targeting Kelly's retired military rank and benefits, along with efforts to pursue criminal charges over his statements.
Two additional articles concern the U.S. operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the 2025 military campaign against Houthi fighters in Yemen. Massie alleges that Hegseth participated in the unlawful seizure of Maduro and authorized military strikes in Yemen that exceeded presidential war powers.
Hegseth rejected the accusations Tuesday, describing the impeachment effort as a political spectacle driven by disagreements over the Trump administration's military policies. President Donald Trump defended his defense secretary, while House Speaker Mike Johnson urged Republicans to oppose the resolution.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has expressed support for impeachment. Republicans currently hold a narrow House majority, although Democrats won control of both chambers in the November midterm elections and will take office in January.
Massie first pursued impeachment in September, but the effort stalled when House leaders adjourned for recess. His renewed resolution requires lawmakers to address the measure within two legislative days, giving Republicans the option to send it to committee before a vote on the individual charges.
A majority of House members would need to approve impeachment for Hegseth to face a Senate trial, where conviction and removal require a two-thirds vote. Two Cabinet secretaries have previously been impeached, including Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in 2024, whose charges the Senate dismissed without a trial.
The House is expected to begin voting at 5:30 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday. Lawmakers will first decide whether to advance the impeachment effort or send the resolution to committee, which could prevent an immediate vote on Hegseth's removal.
