On borrowed time? Massie vows move to impeach Hegseth if not already out after midterms

On borrowed time? Massie vows move to impeach Hegseth if not already out after midterms

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), has indicated he would reintroduce articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should he remain at the Pentagon after the November midterm elections.

Massie, who kicked off the impeachment process against Hegseth in September over the war in Iran, wrote on social media that a reporter asked him about his plans for that effort.

Will you reintroduce articles of impeachment against SecDef Hegseth when Congress returns to DC?” Massie wrote the unnamed reporter as asking.

“ If he’s still SecDef, ” Massie wrote as his reply, using an abbreviation for secretary of Defense.

Congress plans to vote on Hegseth’s impeachment — their only mechanism to remove the Pentagon chief — upon their return to Capitol Hill next month.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) confirmed the plans earlier on Monday, saying Democrats will run the Pentagon chief “ out of town ” if they take the majority.

Senate Democrats, meanwhile, have floated Hegseth’s ouster as the political price for cooperation on key defense-related issues in the lame-duck session. They could have the help of some Republicans who are displeased with Hegseth’s leadership, particularly over his ouster of well-respected military leaders.

Massie in September alleged that Hegseth initiated and has conducted the U.S. war against Iran illegally, among other “high crimes and misdemeanors.”

Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I’m Ellen Mitchell— your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond.

Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.

Protecting America’s frontline requires decision advantage. That’s why the U.S. military uses Palantir’s software to surface critical information to the right decision-makers at the right time. Learn how Palantir’s software supports U.S. defense and national security.

How policy will affect defense and national security now and in the future:

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Democrats will run Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth “out of town” if they take the majority in the November midterms. Jeffries told MS NOW that Democrats will take action to knock Hegseth off his perch atop the Pentagon if President Trump doesn’t push him out himself. Democrats have zeroed in on Hegseth as criticism of high gas prices amid the Iran war have become a key talking …

The Pentagon is pressing Congress to keep measures in the annual defense policy bill that would formally authorize the name change from Department of Defense to “Department of War.” “President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had the conviction to say so plainly. Many in Washington would have left the name alone. The president chose clarity over convenience when he signed the executive order authorizing …

Ukraine has been waiting “for nearly a month” for U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to allow missiles for its air defense systems to be sent to the country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday. “We have been waiting for nearly a month for Mr. Hegseth to sign off on missiles for Patriots and NASAMS,” Zelensky said in a post to social media. “I instructed our team to raise this with the American side once again. …

Branch out with a different read from The Hill:

Texas congressman says he and family are safe after threat

Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas) on Wednesday said he and his family are safe in the wake of an assassination threat from a 17-year-old. “I am grateful to the FBI and law enforcement for stopping this threat. My family and I are safe, and I remain focused on serving the people of Texas’ 3rd District,” Self …

Keeping U.S. forces safe requires turning complex data into coordinated action. That’s why the U.S. military uses Palantir’s software to identify, vet, and plan against evolving threats. Discover how Palantir’s technology empowers the U.S. military .

The German Marshall Fund of the United States will host a conversation on “The 2026 midterms: What’s at stake for the United States and Europe? ” at 9 a.m.

The Council on Strategic Risks will hold a webinar on “Charging Forward: Electric Vehicles as Defense Technology ,” at 10 a.m.

Stimson Center will discuss “Inside the Biden administration’s role in Gaza ,” at 12 p.m.

West Point still reviews faculty speaking requests despite judge’s order, The Washington Post reports

Supreme Court to hear case on division of retirement, disability pay in military divorces, Military Times reports

A new level of threat and fears risks pushing the U.S. and Iran back to full war, The New York Times reports

Former FBI Director James Comey has been charged again by the Justice Department (DOJ) for allegedly disclosing sensitive national defense information … Read more

A bipartisan pair of former South Carolina governors endorsed Democrat Annie Andrews over Sen. Darline Graham (R) in the state’s Senate election. Former … Read more

Op-eds related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill: