Massie Files Articles Against Hegseth

The bid to remove Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from office has moved from political rhetoric to procedural action. Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican, filed articles of impeachment against the secretary on Friday. This places Hegseth at the center of a cross-party effort to force a House vote on November 9, the day the chamber returns from its midterm break.

Massie argues that Hegseth abused his office by ordering military hostilities against Iran without congressional approval. The lawmaker intends to trigger a vote shortly after the House resumes session. This timeline places the potential removal vote in the immediate aftermath of the November elections, a period of heightened political sensitivity for both parties.

Democratic leaders have also voiced strong support for the removal. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated at a Pennsylvania rally that his party would "run Pete Hegseth out of town" if they secure a majority. Other Democrats have used sharper language. Rep. Pramila Jayapal called Hegseth "incompetent and, frankly, corrupt" on CNN. Rep. Jared Huffman described him as an "unhinged fanatic who should be impeached and removed from office."

The impeachment drive gains momentum against a backdrop of recent overseas activity. Hegseth held a secret meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. The session took place at Israel's Ovda air base, days before Israel's domestic election. Two sources confirmed the details to Walla on Tuesday. Hegseth acknowledged the visit occurred but declined to discuss the specifics of their conversation.

According to KAN News, Iran was the primary topic of the discussion. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz attended the meeting. The IDF Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, and other senior Israeli military officials were excluded from the sit-down for confidentiality reasons. Hegseth's presence in Israel while facing potential impeachment proceedings adds a layer of urgency to the legislative timeline.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Democrats are preparing to launch the formal process if they win a stronger position in the midterms. The convergence of Massie's articles and Democratic political momentum suggests a coordinated effort to test Hegseth's tenure. The November 9 date forces a decision on the secretary's fate before the new congressional session fully begins.