Hegseth impeachment: what is he accused of and can he be removed?

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing an impeachment push led by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, who introduced eight articles of impeachment on the House floor Monday. Massie accuses Hegseth of issuing unlawful orders, violating the Constitution through military action against Iran and Venezuela, and failing to protect civilians. The resolution could come to a vote by midweek, and top Democrats have signaled they will back it. Hegseth, backed by President Donald Trump, has called the effort a farce.

The charges against Hegseth

Massie’s articles cover conflicts in Iran, Venezuela, Yemen, and the Caribbean. Four of the eight articles relate to Iran, with three resting on the War Powers Resolution, a 1973 law that limits the president’s ability to wage war without congressional approval. Massie said Hegseth should not carry out illegal orders, and that’s why he’s being impeached. He also dismissed the administration’s claim that a strike on a school in Minab was a mistake caused by fog of war, saying the US had months to prepare a unilateral attack on Iran.

Two articles concern Venezuela and boat strikes in the Caribbean since 2025. In January, US special forces abducted former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in a raid on Caracas, following months of US strikes on alleged drug boats. Massie rejected the administration’s description of the raid as a law enforcement operation, saying it was to kidnap a foreign leader to take their oil. One article cites a leaked Signal chat between Hegseth and other senior Trump administration officials about the Yemen attack, in which Massie said everyone agreed there was no imminent threat. The only non-conflict article involves Hegseth’s treatment of Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain who appeared in a video saying laws are clear and you can refuse illegal orders. Hegseth accused Kelly and five other Democrats of sedition, and Trump said such conduct was punishable by death.

Hegseth’s defiant response

At a press conference Tuesday, Hegseth dismissed the impeachment as a stunt. He insisted the military operations he oversaw were lawful and criticized Massie for impeaching him over policy disagreements. Hegseth warned that punishing him would be the first step in prosecuting soldiers for doing their job. “If they want to come after the warriors, they’re going to have to come through me,” he said. He also compared his situation to Trump’s two impeachments, noting the president came back stronger.

What happens next

The House currently has a Republican majority until January 3, when Democrats take over. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said he is a “hard yes” on impeachment. Massie would need only a handful of Republicans to support the resolution if most Democrats follow Jeffries. In the Senate, Republicans hold 53 of 100 seats, but Democrats are expected to have about 54 next year. Conviction and removal require a two-thirds majority, or 67 votes. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, expected to become majority leader, said Hegseth must stand trial before the Senate. He urged Trump to replace Hegseth now while he can still get a replacement confirmed.