Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massie has filed articles of impeachment against U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, opening a new front of tension within Congress and the Republican majority itself. According to U.S. media, the House could vote on the procedure as early as Wednesday.
Massie accuses Hegseth of having conducted a war without congressional authorization, referring to the conflict with Iran. President Donald Trump responded by publicly defending his Defense Secretary. Answering a question from a CNN reporter, Trump said he will stand by Hegseth and called Massie a "loser." The president also argued that Hegseth has won two wars.
Hegseth, questioned by reporters in Newport, Rhode Island, said he does not consider the impeachment a concern. He dismissed congressional objections as "differences over success," citing the military operations named Epic Fury and Rough Rider and the capture of Nicolás Maduro. The secretary also said that Trump would wage the war again and that he agrees with that.
Massie's move comes at a politically delicate moment. In the midterm elections, Democrats defeated Republicans, and Vice President JD Vance attributed the losses to the war in Iran. Hegseth chose not to comment on Vance's message.
CNN reports that many Republican figures expect the impeachment measure could be approved, but it is not yet clear whether the party will provide enough votes to pass it or to block it. The outcome of the House vote will therefore determine whether the matter has a formal follow-up or stops at the political stage.