Massie makes his move

Rep. Thomas Massie seized the House floor for more than an hour to launch a long-shot impeachment effort against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Eight articles read aloud

Massie read a 34-page resolution with eight articles of impeachment, accusing Hegseth of violating his duties and the Constitution.

“Peter Brian Hegseth thus warrants impeachment and trial”

Pentagon backs Hegseth

The Pentagon defended Hegseth, calling him a transformative leader and saying the department remains behind his vision.

“the entire Department is unified behind the Secretary’s vision”

War powers at issue

The charges include ignoring civilian casualty laws, administering an unlawful war in Yemen, ordering extrajudicial killings and suppressing free speech.

Maduro capture cited

One article accuses Hegseth of kidnapping a sovereign leader, a reference to the U.S. capture of Nicolas Maduro earlier this year.

No warning to leaders

Massie said he told nobody before acting because he feared Speaker Mike Johnson would shorten the House schedule to block the vote.

“So I shared the idea with nobody”

A vote is coming

Because the resolution is privileged, the House must act within two legislative days unless GOP leaders change the schedule again.

A marker in history

Massie said success was not the only goal. He wanted a record of what he called illegal conduct by Trump and Hegseth.

“there needs to be a marker in history”

Timing before recess

Massie said he waited until the last moment because Congress was about to leave before the midterms, making Tuesday his final chance to force action.

“So I had to do it today”