REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER FORCES HOUSE VOTE ON HEGSETH IMPEACHMENT

Republican congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky has filed a resolution seeking the impeachment of US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, triggering a mandatory House of Representatives vote within two days. Massie accuses Hegseth of high crimes and misdemeanours, citing military operations in Iran, strikes on boats in the Caribbean, and disputes over free speech. He says Hegseth violated "his oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States" and his "constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, especially with regard to the commission of war", according to The Hill. Massie also said Hegseth has "abused the powers of the Department of defence". Because the resolution is privileged under House rules, it bypasses committee review and forces a floor vote by the full chamber.

The move follows a public feud between the two men. In May, Hegseth travelled to Kentucky to campaign for Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL who challenged Massie in the Republican primary, saying that "at some point, being against everything becomes an excuse for accomplishing nothing." Gallrein went on to win the primary, ending Massie's bid for re-election. Separately, Democratic representative Yassamin Ansari introduced her own impeachment resolution against Hegseth in April, focused on Iran policy and the handling of classified information, according to Politico. Many Democrats have argued that any removal effort should follow formal committee investigations rather than a rushed floor vote.

Massie's resolution is described as the first attempt by a lawmaker to file impeachment articles against a Cabinet member of their own party. The vote is expected to place House Republicans in a difficult position ahead of the midterm elections. The dispute touches on the War Powers Resolution, which requires presidents to end unauthorised military engagements within 60 days unless Congress grants formal authorisation or a 30-day extension. No outcome of the House vote had been confirmed at the time of reporting.