GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has postponed the impeachment vote on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to a time after the November midterm elections.
The decision follows an announcement by outgoing Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who two days ago demanded a vote on eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth. Massie cited Hegseth’s involvement in what he called an unconstitutional war against Iran, the arrest of Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro, and other high crimes.
Johnson acknowledged that some Republicans would feel compelled to support sacking the Trump official, but he prioritized avoiding a difficult vote as House members prepare to leave Washington for the last time before November’s midterms. Johnson claimed Massie’s bill is “ridiculous” and a “publicity stunt,” asserting Hegseth has “done an extraordinary job” during ongoing international conflicts.
The resolution contains eight articles:
– Article I alleges Hegseth directed U.S. forces into hostilities with Iran without congressional war authorization.
– Articles II–III detail repeated violations of the 1974 War Powers Resolution.
– Article IV accuses Hegseth of ignoring laws minimizing civilian casualties and murdering civilians, referencing a Tomahawk strike on a girls’ school and his undermining of Pentagon casualty tracking.
– Article V cites attacks on drug boats in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean that killed 221 people.
– Article VI alleges Hegseth violated free speech rights after investigating Senator Mark Kelly for reminding service members they are not obligated to obey illegal orders.
– Article VII states Hegseth participated in Maduro’s illegal kidnapping.
– Article VIII charges him with waging an unauthorized war against Yemen.
Massie criticized Johnson for “practicing bad politics” by delaying impeachment for eight weeks, noting House rules require a vote within 48 hours of resolution introduction but that Johnson’s party likely conducted internal checks to avoid bipartisan support.
Johnson faces pressure to maintain his “razor-thin GOP majority” amid polls showing Democrats ahead in the generic congressional vote at 50.5 percent against the GOP’s 41.9 percent. Nine Democratic representatives, including Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), have previously introduced an impeachment resolution targeting Hegseth for unauthorized war conduct and civilian harm. Analysts note that if Democrats win control of the House in November, Hegseth could face removal.