GOP Rep. Thomas Massie introduces impeachment articles against Hegseth over Iran war

Updated on: September 15, 2026 / 6:19 PM EDT / CBS News

Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who lost a primary to a Trump-backed challenger, introduced articles of impeachment Tuesday against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of defying Congress during the Iran war, suppressing free speech and other offenses.

"In all of this, Secretary Hegseth has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as Secretary of Defense and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice, and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States of America," Massie said Tuesday on the House floor.

The eight articles of impeachment introduced by Massie, who is one of the most anti-interventionist members of Congress, accuse Hegseth of violating the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which provides a check on the president's power to enter armed conflict without consent from the legislative branch.

Under the Vietnam War-era law, the administration must report to Congress within 48 hours of deploying forces into hostilities if Congress hasn't authorized a declaration of war. Any unauthorized engagement is capped at 60 days, with an additional 30-day window to withdraw. The Iran war began in late…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/