Massie introduces impeachment articles against Hegseth over Iran war
Rep. Thomas Massie accused Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of defying Congress with the Iran war, suppressing free speech and other offenses.
Updated on: September 15, 2026 / 6:19 PM EDT / CBS News
"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 February, though the Trump administration has said Operation Epic Fury — the military's term for the initial operation against Iran — ended in early May.
The House has approved several measures to limit President Trump's power to strike Iran under the War Powers Resolution, but most of those efforts have failed to advance in the GOP-led Senate. Mr. Trump notified Congress on July 10 that "military action" against Iran had formally restarted after he declared a monthlong ceasefire "over." Mr. Trump has argued he doesn't need congressional approval for the Iran war and called the War Powers Resolution unconstitutional.