Rep. Thomas Massie has a message for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: If you’re still running the Pentagon after the midterms, the impeachment fight is coming back.
The Kentucky Republican indicated Monday that he plans to reintroduce articles of impeachment when Congress returns to Washington following the November elections — adding pressure as new reporting raises questions about whether Hegseth could seek a move to the Senate.
According to The Hill, Massie posted an exchange with an unnamed reporter who asked whether he would revive the effort.
“Will you reintroduce articles of impeachment against SecDef Hegseth when Congress returns to DC?” Massie recounted on X.
His answer was brief: “If he’s still SecDef.”
A Republican Keeps the Pressure On
Massie first introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth in September, accusing the defense secretary of violating constitutional limits and federal law in his handling of military operations.
The Iran war was central to the resolution. Massie alleged that Hegseth continued the conflict without congressional authorization, disregarded Congress’s direction to withdraw and failed to prevent unnecessary civilian casualties. Those are allegations underlying the impeachment effort, rather than findings established by a congressional trial.
The Pentagon defended Hegseth when Massie launched the effort.
“Secretary Hegseth has been a transformative leader for the Department of War,” Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson told ABC News in September. Wilson also said the department stood behind his leadership.
Massie’s latest warning comes as Democrats sharpen their own threats against the Pentagon chief.
The Hill reported Monday that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats would run Hegseth “out of town” if they capture the House. The outlet has also reported that Senate Democrats are discussing his departure as a condition for cooperation on defense issues during the lame-duck session.
The timing matters: Lawmakers returning immediately after the election will still belong to the current Congress. Any newly elected Democratic majority would take power in January.
A Possible Opening in Tennessee
Meanwhile, speculation about Hegseth’s next move has shifted toward Tennessee.
As previously covered by GAND, Puck’s Leigh Ann Caldwell reported that Hegseth has been seeking an appointment to Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s seat should the Tennessee Republican win the governor’s race and leave the Senate. Mediaite’s account of Caldwell’s reporting also identified Rep. Tim Burchett as another interested contender.
That scenario remains speculative. Blackburn would first have to win the governorship, and no appointment of Hegseth has been announced.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell previously rejected the speculation, telling Axios that Hegseth remained focused on leading the department.
An Impeachment Vote Would Be the First Hurdle
Massie’s pledge does not guarantee Hegseth’s removal. The House can impeach an official by a simple majority, but conviction and removal require a two-thirds vote of senators present.
Massie is also approaching the end of his own congressional tenure after losing his Republican primary to a Trump-backed challenger. He nevertheless retains his seat through the remainder of the current term.
His Monday statement makes clear that he intends to use that remaining time to renew the fight — provided Hegseth is still at the Pentagon when lawmakers return.
