US House Member Files Impeachment Articles Against Defence Secretary — Why?
Republican member of the US House of Representatives, Thomas Massie, filed articles of impeachment against Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday (15/9/2026). He accused Hegseth of abusing his office by executing orders to conduct hostilities against Iran without congressional approval.
The impeachment resolution is expected to be difficult to pass. However, the move by Massie, a Republican politician from Kentucky, could force the House to hold a vote.
The situation has the potential to put several Republican Party members in a difficult spot as they prepare to leave Washington ahead of the midterm elections in November.
“The entire Department stands united behind the Secretary’s vision and will continue working to put our soldiers and America first,” said Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson in a statement quoted by Reuters.
Massie filed the impeachment articles under privileged status, meaning the House must take up the matter within two legislative days.
Massie is known as one of the most vocal critics of the war against Iran and of US aid to Israel. He did not run for re-election.
In May, Massie lost his primary to a candidate backed by Republican President Donald Trump.
Massie’s relationship with Trump deteriorated after he led an effort to open Department of Justice files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The move put him at odds with the president.
Massie was defeated by Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL who received Trump’s endorsement and substantial financial backing from pro-Israel groups.
A number of opinion polls show that the war, launched through American and Israeli attacks on Iran on 28 February, is unpopular among voters.
Members of Congress, particularly Democrats, have repeatedly backed resolutions urging Trump to end the conflict unless it obtains congressional approval. However, those resolutions have yet to succeed in halting the fighting.
Polls also show that Trump’s Republican Party faces a tough battle to retain control of the House and Senate when voters go to the polls on 3 November.
A Reuters/Ipsos survey released on Monday showed Democrats leading Republicans in voter preference for congressional elections by 44% to 37%.
Trump’s popularity has also declined since he launched the war. The conflict has disrupted oil shipments and pushed fuel prices near record highs, adding pressure on household finances in the United States.