U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) reintroduced the articles Monday, November 9, triggering House procedures that could bring a vote on a motion to dispose of the resolution Tuesday. Hegseth denied wrongdoing at a Pentagon news conference on November 10, while Trump publicly defended him.
Thank you Mr. President.
Like you, we will never back down. pic.twitter.com/agIcDPjW5e
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) November 10, 2026
Eight Charges Focus On Iran And Other Operations
The resolution alleges three violations of the War Powers Resolution of 1973: beginning military action against Iran without congressional authorization, continuing hostilities despite congressional action, and exceeding statutory time limits. The third charge cites the law’s 60-day termination requirement and a possible additional 30-day withdrawal period. The other articles allege failures to protect civilians, unauthorized maritime strikes, retaliation against U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), the capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores, and unauthorized operations in Yemen, according to Massie’s official November 9 release.
Massie’s November 9 release alleges at least 243 deaths in strikes against suspected drug-trafficking boats. That is the figure stated in his impeachment charges, rather than an independently established death toll. Another article cites a February 28 strike on a school in Minab, Iran, that killed civilians. These are allegations in an impeachment resolution, not adjudicated findings of unlawful conduct.
“By engaging in hostilities in Iran for more than 90 days without congressional authorization, Secretary Hegseth is breaking the law and must be held accountable,” Massie said in his official statement. His reference to more than 90 days describes the duration he alleges; the resolution separately invokes the law’s 60-day requirement and potential 30-day withdrawal period.
A Dispute With A History In Congress
The latest resolution did not begin in November. Massie presented the eight articles in September, but House leaders adjourned before a vote. His November 9 action restarted the two-legislative-day process, according to Roll Call.
Democrats had already sought Hegseth’s removal. In April, five articles of impeachment were proposed by House Democrats, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. The earlier effort and Massie’s new resolution are separate measures.
Congress also has challenged the Iran campaign through war-powers legislation. The House voted 215-208 on June 3 to direct Trump to remove U.S. forces from unauthorized hostilities or secure congressional approval, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. A congressional vote expressing that position does not itself establish that Hegseth committed an impeachable offense.
Hegseth And Trump Reject Impeachment
At his Tuesday Pentagon news conference, Hegseth called the impeachment drive a “farce” and a political stunt, arguing that the operations were lawful and that disagreements over military policy do not constitute high crimes and misdemeanors.
This is over “policy disagreements,” Hegseth explained. “We’ve seen this show before,” referring to the failed attempts to impeach Trump in that past. “They will fail again.”
Such actions “tells our enemies — Iran, the cartels, every adversary watching — that the United States will actually punish its own warriors, and its own civilian leadership for successfully executing lawful military operations,” said Hegseth.
“This is not patriotism. This is sabotage,” stressed Hegseth.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) opposes impeaching a secretary of war while U.S. forces are engaged abroad. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York), meanwhile, has said he is a “hard yes” on impeachment. The positions were detailed in a November 9 Roll Call report.
Religious Leaders Offer Opposing Views
Evangelist Franklin Graham defended Hegseth in a November 10 social media statement, attributing criticism of him to efforts to reverse diversity, equity, and inclusion policies in the military and urging prayer for the secretary.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is under attack—and it’s by Republicans! For the life of me, I don’t know why Republicans eat each other. I believe the real reason they are coming after Secretary Hegseth is because he has taken on the anti-God, woke, and DEI initiatives that the…
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) November 10, 2026
The Interfaith Alliance took the opposite position in a November 9 statement. Its president and CEO, the Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, accused Hegseth of advancing an unconstitutional religious agenda and called for his firing or removal through impeachment.
Why Target Hegseth Instead Of Trump?
Massie has provided an explicit explanation. Asked why he was not introducing articles against President Trump, he said he wanted Trump to see “one of his horses shot out from under him,” describing the phrase as a metaphor, according to Roll Call. The congressman also said Trump should replace Hegseth while Republicans still control the Senate confirmation process.
The House has separate constitutional authority to impeach a president or a Cabinet officer. Filing against Hegseth does not determine whether Trump’s military decisions were lawful, and the resolution’s allegations have not been proven in a Senate trial.
Has A Military Secretary Ever Been Impeached?
The House impeached Secretary of War William Belknap in 1876 after allegations of payments tied to military trading posts. Belknap resigned before impeachment, and the Senate later acquitted him, according to the Senate’s historical account. The modern secretary of defense position was established in 1947, and none of its holders has previously been impeached.
The House also impeached Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in 2024. The Senate dismissed the articles without a full trial, per AP. Hegseth would be the third Cabinet secretary impeached if the House approves the current resolution.
House Procedural Vote Expected Tuesday
The House majority leader’s official schedule lists a procedural motion concerning Massie’s impeachment resolution for Tuesday, November 10, with votes expected at approximately 5:30 p.m. Eastern. A motion to table or refer the measure could prevent a direct vote on impeachment. If that motion fails, the House could proceed to consideration of the articles themselves.
A simple majority is required to impeach. Conviction and removal would require approval from two-thirds of senators present. Hegseth remains secretary of war unless he is removed or otherwise leaves office.
The scheduled action is a procedural vote; it is not, by itself, a vote to impeach.
