US Representative Thomas Massie introduced a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday. The outgoing Republican lawmaker filed the articles as the House opened its first session after the midterm elections.
Massie accused Hegseth of carrying out unlawful orders and posing a threat to the Constitution, reading the text of the resolution in the chamber on Monday.
The Kentucky lawmaker reintroduced eight articles of impeachment that he first raised in September. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson previously avoided a vote by sending lawmakers home early.
Massie told a news conference on Monday that he would welcome votes from any lawmakers wanting Hegseth removed. He said some would vote for the measure simply because they want to see Hegseth gone.
"I understand that some of them just want to vote for this because they just want to see Hegseth gone," Massie said. "I welcome their vote."
Massie urged the defence secretary to resign before Democrats take control of Congress in January. He predicted that upcoming Democratic-led investigations will feature testimony from senior administration officials.
Hegseth stayed defiant and said he welcomes the opportunity to defend his actions in Congress. He told reporters on Monday that his critics have policy disagreements with success.
"There’s a lot of politically motivated people who may have substantial policy disagreements, but their disagreements are with success," Hegseth said. "If we want to litigate the military actions that the Trump administration has taken, I’m happy to do it all day long."
The resolution alleges that Hegseth violated the Constitution by executing the war on Iran without congressional authorisation. Massie also cited the US bombing of a school in Minab, Iran, which killed more than 150 people, including about 120 children, in February.
Other charges involve strikes on alleged narcotics boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, the abduction of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and military action against the Houthis in Yemen. House Speaker Mike Johnson dismissed the resolution as a political trick.
