Outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie filed eight articles of impeachment on Tuesday naming Pete Hegseth over alleged misconduct tied to U.S. military operations against Iran. Massie claims strikes were carried out without legal authorization and continued after the War Powers Resolution expired, and he cites suppression of Sen. Mark Kelly's speech and an alleged February strike on an elementary school that reportedly killed large numbers of civilians. Massie made the resolution privileged, which would compel a House vote within two days unless Speaker Mike Johnson intervenes.
Massie Files Eight Articles Of Impeachment Against Pete Hegseth Over Iran War Conduct
Republican Representative Moves to Impeach Hegseth for “High Crimes”
Outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie on Tuesday introduced eight articles of impeachment naming Pete Hegseth for what Massie called "high crimes and misdemeanors" tied to U.S. military operations against Iran. The resolution frames Hegseth's conduct as part of the Trump-era campaign against Iran and alleges the campaign was "unlawful at its inception."
Allegations Against Hegseth
Massie's complaint charges that Hegseth "waged the Iran war despite no declaration of war, statutory authorization, attack on the United States, or imminent threat," and that operations continued after the War Powers Resolution had expired. The articles also accuse Hegseth of suppressing the free-speech rights of Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, initiating an unlawful campaign in Yemen (referencing "Signalgate"), and disregarding legal safeguards intended to minimize civilian casualties.
School Strike Cited As Central Charge
Massie highlighted a February strike on Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, Iran, which the resolution says killed 120 schoolchildren and 36 other civilians. Massie told the House that:
"By directing the Department of Defense in a manner that foreseeably dismantled the safeguards necessary to distinguish civilian objects from military objects, Secretary Hegseth thereby affected the murder of civilians, and abused the trust of men and women under his command by requiring them to conduct military operations within a targeted and legal review system that he had deliberately degraded."
Note: The text of the resolution uses strong language and attributes those casualty figures and legal conclusions to Massie's allegations. Independent verification of those specific claims and of Hegseth's official title and role should be sought from primary sources and official records.
Procedural Move
Massie designated his resolution as a privileged motion, which by House rules would force a vote within two legislative days unless Speaker Mike Johnson takes action to delay or discharge members from the requirement. The designation makes the resolution immediately procedurally prominent, though success would depend on votes and any parliamentary responses.
What Comes Next
If the House takes up the privileged resolution, members will debate and vote. Even if the motion passes the House, impeachment of an executive-branch official has additional legal and political steps; the outcome would depend on legal findings, available evidence, and the political will of a majority of representatives and senators.
Reporting note: This article preserves Massie's claims as allegations. Reporters and readers should verify casualty figures, the factual basis for each article of impeachment, and Hegseth's official status in publicly available government records.
Help us improve.
