Donald Trump renewed his defence of US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday after Republican congressman Thomas Massie moved to force a House vote on eight articles of impeachment. Massie accused Hegseth of waging war against Iran without congressional authorisation. Trump rejected the challenge, praised Hegseth’s handling of US military operations and personally attacked the Kentucky lawmaker.
Trump stands by his defence secretary
Speaking at the White House, Trump described the US operation that captured former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro as a success and said Hegseth was winning the war against Iran. Hegseth told reporters he was unconcerned about the impeachment effort and said he would address it at a Pentagon press conference on Tuesday.
Massie first introduced impeachment articles in September, but the House went into recess before it could consider them. He brought the measure back after last week’s midterm elections, in which Democrats won control of both chambers for the next Congress.
Massie challenges the conduct of the Iran war
The resolution alleges that Hegseth breached the 1973 War Powers Resolution by starting and continuing military operations against Iran without congressional approval. Other articles challenge military operations in Venezuela and strikes on boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. The resolution also accuses Hegseth of retaliating against Democratic Senator Mark Kelly after Kelly told service personnel they should refuse unlawful orders.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Sunday that he would support impeachment. Republican congressman Don Bacon said he was weighing the measure, though he expressed reservations about Massie’s articles and raised separate concerns about Hegseth’s record.
What happens next in Congress
The House could take up the measure by Wednesday. Lawmakers could vote on the articles, refer the matter for further consideration or set it aside. If a House majority approves even one article, Hegseth would be impeached. Removing him from office would require a Senate trial and a conviction backed by two-thirds of senators present.
Newshub Editorial in North America – 10 November 2026
Donald Trump renewed his defence of US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday after Republican congressman Thomas Massie moved to force a House vote on eight articles of impeachment. Massie accused Hegseth of waging war against Iran without congressional authorisation. Trump rejected the challenge, praised Hegseth’s handling of US military operations and personally attacked the Kentucky lawmaker.
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