House Republican leaders are preparing for a difficult vote as support grows for impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Several GOP lawmakers may join Democrats in backing the measure. The vote could expose deep divisions within the Republican Party after its heavy losses in the midterm elections.
The impeachment push comes from Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky. He plans to bring a resolution against Hegseth to the House floor this week. The measure accuses the defense secretary of ignoring Congress and continuing the US war in Iran without legal authority.
Republican leaders had managed to delay the vote before the midterm elections. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana canceled several planned votes and sent lawmakers home early. This kept Massie’s proposal off the House floor at a sensitive time for the party.
Johnson denied that the decision was linked to the impeachment effort. However, a vote on Hegseth before the election could have created problems for Republican candidates. Many lawmakers were already facing pressure over the war in Iran and the administration’s military decisions.
The political situation has changed since Republicans suffered major election losses. Some defeated lawmakers may now feel they have less reason to follow party leaders. Their willingness to challenge the administration could give Massie more support.
The election defeat has also started a wider debate inside the Republican Party. Lawmakers are looking for reasons behind the poor result. The Iran war has become one of the main issues in their growing dispute.
One Republican lawmaker said the United States should not have started the war before the midterm elections. The member repeated the word Iran to show how strongly the conflict had become linked to the party’s problems.
Hegseth is now facing much of the anger. As defense secretary, he has been one of the main public figures explaining the military campaign. Some Republicans believe his public comments have made it harder for the administration to defend its actions.
Another GOP lawmaker said Hegseth’s tone and language had damaged efforts to explain the strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites. The member also raised concerns about how the government had explained other military operations.
Retiring Republican Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska has also questioned Hegseth’s support among lawmakers. Bacon told Fox News that the defense secretary does not have strong backing on Capitol Hill. He has not yet made a final decision on the impeachment vote.
The pressure on Hegseth may also be growing inside the White House. Some officials in the Trump administration are reportedly seeking his removal. This has raised further questions about whether he can remain in his role.
President Donald Trump defended Hegseth on Wednesday. He told reporters that he intended to keep him as defense secretary. Trump’s statement showed that he still supports Hegseth despite the growing criticism.
However, the political risk could increase in January. Democrats are expected to take control of the House. A Democratic majority would have the power to open investigations and begin new impeachment proceedings against Hegseth.
Hegseth has rejected the current effort. In a video shared on X on Thursday, he called the impeachment plan a sham. He also described Massie as a disgruntled and defeated congressman.
Massie responded by urging Trump to replace Hegseth while Republicans still control the Senate. He said he would not bring back the impeachment articles if the defense secretary resigned. His statement made clear that Hegseth’s departure remains his preferred outcome.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell also defended the defense secretary. He said Hegseth would not back down because of politicians seeking attention or trying to launch what he called false investigations.
Parnell said the Department of War had followed the law. He added that Hegseth remained committed to the Constitution, US troops and national security.
He also said the department would continue to carry out Trump’s plans. According to Parnell, Hegseth is fully committed to leading the department until the end of Trump’s term.
Still, impeachment by the House would not mean that Hegseth must leave office at once. The Senate would need to hold a trial and secure a two-thirds majority to remove him.
Reaching that level of support could prove difficult. Even if Democrats take control of the Senate in January, they would still need votes from Republicans to reach the required number.
The House vote could become an important test of Hegseth’s political support. It may also reveal how far the Iran war has divided Republicans after their election defeat. For now, House leaders face a growing challenge as more GOP lawmakers consider breaking with their party.
