Hegseth rejects impeachment effort as Massie alleges lawbreaking

Speaking at the Pentagon on 10 November, Hegseth called the impeachment effort a “political spectacle” driven by Massie’s “ego and resentment”. He said disagreements over policy should be resolved through legislation, debate or elections, rather than impeachment.

Hegseth argued that the effort would undermine US troops and their missions. “This is not patriotism; this is sabotage,” he said.

Massie, a Republican congressman from Kentucky, introduced an impeachment resolution the previous day. He alleges that Hegseth broke the law by conducting hostilities in Iran for more than 90 days without congressional authorisation.

His office says the eight articles of impeachment also accuse Hegseth of using Defence Department authority to retaliate against and intimidate Senator Mark Kelly over his speech questioning military orders. The allegations therefore extend beyond the conduct of military operations.

Hegseth said operations involving Iran, drug cartels, Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and Yemen were lawful, ordered by President Donald Trump and notified to Congress. Trump praised Hegseth’s defence. Massie lost his Republican primary in Kentucky but remains a member of the House.