In the US, Congressman Massie introduces articles of impeachment against Pentagon chief Hegseth
In the United States, Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky introduced eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in the House of Representatives. The initiative seeks to secure a vote in the lower chamber of Congress on impeachment, TIME reports.
Massie's accusations
Massie claims that Hegseth has been conducting military operations in Iran for more than 90 days without congressional authorization, violating several provisions of the 1973 War Powers Resolution. According to the congressman, the secretary is also ignoring congressional war powers resolutions.
In one of the articles of impeachment, Massie accused Hegseth of suppressing freedom of speech. This concerns the alleged use of Defense Department powers to pressure and intimidate Senator Mark Kelly after he and other Democrats recorded a video for service members and intelligence community personnel. In it, the politicians reminded them that they may refuse to carry out unlawful orders.
Another article contains Massie's claim that the US military operation in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, was conducted without constitutional or legal grounds.
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Prospects for the procedure
Massie told reporters that he had not warned the Republican leadership of the House of Representatives about his intention to introduce the initiative. The timing of a vote is currently unknown, and the lower chamber of Congress is due to recess at the end of this week.
The chances of the procedure succeeding are limited due to Republican control of the House of Representatives. Even if the resolution is approved by the lower chamber, the support of two-thirds of the Senate, which is also controlled by Republicans, is required to convict Hegseth and remove him from office.
Criticism of the defense secretary
Hegseth has previously faced criticism from Democrats and some Republicans over the war in Iran and his management of the Pentagon. Republican Senator Thom Tillis called on President Donald Trump to replace Hegseth after the resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. According to TIME, since Hegseth took charge of the department, at least 20 military and civilian leaders have been fired or resigned.
Republican Congressman Don Bacon told CNN that he shares Tillis's assessment, although he did not directly call on Trump to dismiss the secretary. Trump continues to support Hegseth and has said that he is doing a great job. Attorney General Todd Blanche also said that Hegseth is complying with the law.
