# Massie tries to impeach Hegseth

> A Republican critic of Trump is forcing a House fight over Pete Hegseth’s handling of Iran, Venezuela, and Pentagon dissent.
- Title: Massie tries to impeach Hegseth · TIME | Shortify
- Summary: A Republican critic of Trump is forcing a House fight over Pete Hegseth’s handling of Iran, Venezuela, and Pentagon dissent. Massie’s impeachment push is…
- Keywords: politics, congress, defense, iran, trump, Massie, tries, impeach, Hegseth, TIME
- Source: TIME — https://time.com/article/2026/09/15/massie-hegseth-impeachment-iran
- Author: Chantelle Lee
- Published: 2026-09-15T21:24:05.524+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: politics, congress, defense, iran, trump
## A Republican breaks ranks
Rep. Thomas Massie introduced eight impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a rare public attack on a Trump Cabinet official from inside the GOP.
## Iran drives the charge
Massie says Hegseth kept U.S. forces in hostilities in Iran for more than 90 days without Congress approving the war, violating the War Powers Resolution.

> breaking the law and must be held accountable
## Free speech is included
One article accuses Hegseth of using Defense Department power to intimidate Sen. Mark Kelly after Kelly told service members they can refuse illegal orders.

> suppressing free speech
## Venezuela is another flashpoint
Massie also targets the U.S. operation in Venezuela that captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife, saying it lacked constitutional or legal authority.

> without constitutional or legal authority
## The vote faces long odds
Massie did not warn GOP leaders before acting. Even if the House advanced the measure, conviction would need a two-thirds Senate vote.
## GOP criticism has grown
Hegseth has drawn fire from some Republicans over the Iran war and Pentagon management, including after at least 20 military and civilian leaders left the department.
## Tillis called for replacement
Sen. Thom Tillis urged Trump to pick a new Pentagon chief, accusing Hegseth of poor management and focusing on culture fights over defense work.

> I have never witnessed more inept management
## Trump is still backing him
Trump has praised Hegseth’s performance, while Attorney General Todd Blanche said Hegseth follows the law. Massie’s move extends his feud with the White House.

> doing a fantastic job
## Key takeaway

Massie’s impeachment push is unlikely to remove Hegseth, but it puts Republican anger over war powers and Pentagon leadership on the record.