Massie Says He Will Refile Hegseth Impeachment Articles as Democrats Press for Defense Secretary's Exit

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said Monday he will reintroduce articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth when Congress resumes, if Hegseth is still in the job. Massie's resolution last month charged that Hegseth waged war against Iran without congressional approval while facing no imminent threat, and that he flouted laws meant to limit civilian casualties. It also alleged unauthorized lethal strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats. Massie, a critic of President Donald Trump who lost his primary and is leaving Congress, posted the exchange on X. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Sunday that Democrats will run Hegseth out of town if Trump does not act first. Semafor reported earlier this month that Democrats are aligning to call for his ouster or resignation. Democrats are likely to retake the House in November, and a vote on impeachment could come soon after the election. Democrats are also warning they will not support funding, and Trump faces a clash with Democrats and some in his own party over Hegseth, the Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine war after Election Day.

Left-leaning outlets approach the story from the Democratic side. HuffPost leads with Massie's pledge, listing his impeachment charges and citing Jeffries and Semafor to show a growing push to remove Hegseth, with a headline that says a Republican is licking his chops. MS NOW runs an opinion piece calling a top Hegseth faith adviser an embodiment of racist rot at the Pentagon and urging Democrats to investigate that influence if they retake the House. Both treat a Democratic House as the route to scrutiny. The Hill, in the alternative group, is distinct in widening the frame to a post-election showdown over Hegseth, Iran and Ukraine, and in noting the funding warnings. Right-leaning outlets had not reported this story at the time of writing, while left-leaning and alternative outlets had.