US Republican Representative Thomas Massie has announced plans to reintroduce articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unless he resigns from his position.
Massie said on Wednesday that his decision to withdraw the impeachment effort would depend entirely on Hegseth stepping down. In a statement posted on X, the congressman confirmed that resignation was the only condition under which he would abandon his plan.
Speaking to CNN, Massie said he intended to initiate a vote in the House of Representatives when lawmakers return to Washington next week. Several Republican sources reportedly told the network that they expected the measure to receive enough support to pass.
Massie also criticised the political direction of the Republican Party, arguing that its poor performance in the midterm elections could not be attributed to a single issue. He suggested that the party’s close alignment with President Donald Trump had contributed to the electoral setbacks.
According to CNN, citing White House officials, Trump has encouraged Hegseth to challenge the impeachment campaign and resist investigations into his decisions as defence secretary.
Trump dismissed speculation that he was considering replacing Hegseth, telling reporters on Wednesday that the defence chief was performing very well in his role.
Meanwhile, Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell maintained that Hegseth would not be intimidated by political opponents attempting to advance partisan interests. He reaffirmed the secretary’s commitment to remaining in charge of the Department of Defense throughout Trump’s presidential term.
Vice President JD Vance separately attributed the Republican Party’s midterm election losses to the ongoing war involving Iran, adding another dimension to the political debate surrounding the administration.
The growing impeachment pressure highlights divisions within Republican ranks as lawmakers prepare to return to Congress next week.
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