Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is pressing President Trump to dismiss Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ahead of a House impeachment vote, arguing that removing him now would be the honorable course of action. The Kentucky Republican, a frequent critic of the president, made the remarks in response to reports that Trump is weighing Hegseth's ouster after the midterm elections, blaming him for the unpopular war in Iran.
"Trump should fire Hegseth to avoid Hegseth's impeachment. It's the honorable thing to do," Massie wrote on X, reacting to a social media post about the president's deliberations. The Hill has not independently confirmed those reports.
House GOP leaders have postponed the impeachment vote, originally slated for September, until the lame-duck session—a move that avoids a politically charged vote before the midterms. Massie, joined by Democrats, accused Republicans of delaying the vote to shield vulnerable incumbents. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) rejected the allegation, calling it "ridiculous."
Massie has vowed to reintroduce the articles of impeachment when the House reconvenes after the election. "The House recessed early to avoid the vote, so I will reintroduce Hegseth articles of impeachment when we return for the lame duck session, regardless of the outcome of the midterm election," he said.
The impeachment push stems from Hegseth's authorization of military action in Iran without congressional approval. Massie first introduced the articles in September, accusing Hegseth of "high crimes and misdemeanors" and of "abusing the powers of the Department of Defense." He also filed a war powers resolution to curb Trump's military operations in Iran as U.S. casualty numbers climbed.
Massie, who lost his primary to a Trump-backed challenger, has been a persistent thorn in the administration's side. His latest move comes as Hegseth aligns with the president on other defense matters, including the controversial cancellation of the Nidal Hasan execution livestream. The Pentagon chief has backed Trump's decision, a stance that has drawn both praise and criticism.
The looming impeachment vote adds another layer of tension to an already fraught political landscape. With the midterms approaching, GOP leaders are eager to avoid distractions, but Massie's insistence on accountability has forced the issue back into the spotlight. Senate Democrats are also moving to block other Trump administration defense initiatives, signaling a broader partisan clash over national security policy.
As the lame-duck session approaches, the fate of Hegseth's tenure remains uncertain. Trump's decision on whether to preemptively fire his defense secretary could reshape the political calculus, potentially sparing the GOP an embarrassing impeachment vote or further inflaming tensions with his base. For now, Massie is holding firm, insisting that the vote will proceed regardless of the election outcome.
