Impeachment Articles Introduced Against Key Trump Official

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky introduced eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday, escalating his dispute with the Trump administration over U.S. military operations. Massie formally presented the resolution on the House floor, accusing Hegseth of committing “high crimes and misdemeanors” through actions involving Iran, Venezuela, Yemen and military operations in the Caribbean.

The first three articles focus largely on the War Powers Resolution of 1973 and U.S. military involvement in Iran. Massie’s resolution alleges the administration is “waging the Iran war despite no declaration of war, statutory authorization, attack on the United States, or imminent threat.”

His first article argues “that the war was unlawful from its inception.”

A second article accuses Hegseth of continuing military operations after Congress directed the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran.

The third alleges Hegseth continued operations after the expiration of time limits established under the War Powers Resolution.

Massie also raised allegations concerning U.S. military operations against suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean. Two of the impeachment articles accuse Hegseth of failing to minimize civilian casualties and participating in unauthorized lethal operations.

One article specifically accuses Hegseth of “replacing maritime law enforcement with unauthorized lethal military targeting of suspected drug traffickers.”

Another impeachment article focuses on the January U.S. operation that resulted in Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, being captured and removed from Caracas.

Massie characterized that operation as the “Kidnapping of a Sovereign Foreign Leader” and alleged that it was conducted “without constitutional or legal authority.”

The resolution also raises Hegseth’s actions involving Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona. Massie accused Hegseth of improperly using his government authority against Kelly following a video in which the senator and other lawmakers discussed the responsibility of military personnel when confronted with unlawful orders.

The eighth article concerns U.S. military activity in Yemen. Massie alleged that Operation Rough Rider was launched without congressional authorization or an imminent threat to the United States.

That article also includes allegations involving civilian deaths, strikes on civilian targets and compliance with congressional war-powers reporting requirements.

Massie spent more than an hour presenting the impeachment articles on the House floor before delivering his closing argument against Hegseth.

“In all of this, Secretary Hegseth abused the powers entrusted to him as Secretary of Defense by subordinating the constitutional limits on the use of military force and the laws governing the conduct of hostilities to his own policy objectives,” Massie said.

Massie further argued that Hegseth’s conduct “warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States.”

The impeachment push represents another dispute between Massie and the Trump administration over presidential authority to conduct military operations without explicit congressional approval.

Massie has repeatedly argued that Congress must authorize continued U.S. military involvement in conflicts such as the fighting in Iran.

The Pentagon has defended Hegseth. Massie’s resolution now puts his allegations before the House as lawmakers consider his effort to remove one of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet officials.