Republican turns on Pete Hegseth with eight articles of impeachment - Republican Representative Thomas Massie filed a privileged resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, forcing a House vote within two days. - Massie accused Hegseth of violating his oath of office, abusing Department of Defense powers, and mishandling military operations in Iran and Caribbean boat strikes.

- The filing marks a historic first: a lawmaker has introduced impeachment articles against a Cabinet official from their own party. - The resolution follows a personal feud after Hegseth campaigned against Massie in Kentucky's Republican primary, which Massie lost.

- Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson defended Hegseth, stating the Department of War is stronger and unified under President Trump and Hegseth's leadership.

Acled data indicates that violence associated with jihadist groups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger has surged from 63 incidents in 2016 to 2,845 in 2025, with 2,145 events recorded early in the current year. This regional escalation contrasts with a global decline in terrorism deaths since 2008, while UN records note that over 9,000 deaths from security incidents have been reported across the three countries.

Observers note that Yemen's Houthi group has continued to expand its capabilities despite air campaigns by multiple nations, reportedly aided by weapons and training from Iran and its regional allies. Analysts suggest the group's strength is bolstered by their control of mountainous terrain and an aggressive ideology, allowing them to sustain attacks on Saudi infrastructure and maritime routes.

Massie Moves to Impeach Hegseth Over Iran War, Civilian Killings and Maduro Kidnapping © AP Photo / J. Scott ApplewhiteRep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., listens as the House Rules Committee prepares a bill to reverse a Biden administration firearms-related regulation on so-called pistol braces, a stabilizing feature championed by some members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 12, 2023 © AP Photo / J.

Scott Applewhite Subscribe Republican Rep. Thomas Massie has introduced articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of abusing Pentagon powers in the war of aggression against Iran and other US military operations he describes as unlawful.

The resolution could force a House vote. Massie charges Hegseth with: Minab school strike: Hegseth degraded civilian-protection safeguards in a way that Massie says resulted in the death or injury of more than 200 civilians at the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab.

Unauthorized war with Iran: Massie argues that continued US hostilities lacked congressional authorization and violated Congress’ constitutional war powers. Extrajudicial killings at sea: Massie charges Hegseth with responsibility for at least 221 deaths aboard vessels suspected of narcotics trafficking, including secondary strikes and failures to rescue survivors.

Retaliation against Sen. Mark Kelly: after Kelly told US troops, “Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders,” Massie says Hegseth used the Pentagon to intimidate and retaliate against him. Venezuela: Massie described the US operation that abducted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife as the “kidnapping of a sovereign foreign leader,” arguing that the narcotics-enforcement rationale masked an effort to assert US control over Venezuela’s oil.

Massie concluded that Hegseth “warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States.