Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has postponed the impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth until after the November midterm elections.
The decision follows an announcement by outgoing Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie, who threatened to force a vote on eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth. Massie alleges that Hegseth engaged in an unconstitutional war against Iran, arrested Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro, and committed other high crimes.
The articles of impeachment detail allegations that Hegseth directed U.S. forces into hostilities with Iran without congressional declaration of war or specific statutory authorization; ignored laws designed to minimize civilian casualties and was involved in the Tomahawk cruise missile strike on a girls’ school; authorized attacks in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean that resulted in 221 deaths; trespassed on Senator Mark Kelly’s free speech rights by investigating him for questioning service members’ obligation to obey illegal orders; assisted in the illegal kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro; and waged an unauthorized war against Yemen.
Massie had demanded a vote within 48 hours but Johnson has postponed the vote until after the midterms. Massie criticized Johnson for “bad politics,” stating that the delay indicates Johnson knew some Republicans were reluctant to support Hegseth.
Johnson characterized Massie’s resolution as “ridiculous” and described it as “a publicity stunt by someone who wants attention.” He added, “We’ll probably do it when we come back, but it’s a stunt.”
With Democrats currently holding 50.5 percent in the generic congressional vote compared to the GOP’s 41.9 percent, many within the party have expressed openness to impeaching Hegseth if they gain control of the House following November elections.
