The motion accuses Hegseth of launching the war against Iran without congressional approval, exceeding war powers, failing to prevent civilian deaths and enforcing unlawful orders, according to the Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, (Pakistan Point News – 10th Nov, 2026) US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing multiple serious allegations, including violating the US Constitution by launching and continuing the war against Iran.
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie has formally filed articles of impeachment against Hegseth, accusing him of starting military operations against Iran without congressional approval, exceeding war powers, failing to prevent civilian deaths and carrying out unlawful orders in other military operations.
According to the Associated Press, Massie presented eight articles of impeachment in the US House of Representatives on 9 November. He said Hegseth had abused the powers of his office and overseen military actions that conflicted with the US Constitution and domestic laws.
Massie alleged that Hegseth violated the 1973 War Powers Resolution by continuing military operations against Iran for more than 90 days without congressional authorization. He said the US Constitution gives Congress the authority to declare war and that the administration cannot bypass this power. Massie added that Hegseth had endangered the Constitution by carrying out unlawful military orders and must be held accountable.
The first article alleges that Hegseth played a role in beginning and expanding US military operations against Iran on 28 February 2026, despite Congress not formally authorizing the war. The motion says this violated the US Constitution and the 1973 War Powers Resolution.
The second article alleges that Hegseth continued military operations despite congressional instructions to withdraw US troops from Iran and disregarded the legislature’s decision.
The third article claims that the defense secretary continued military operations in Iran after the 60-day period prescribed under the War Powers Resolution, along with a possible additional 30-day withdrawal period, had expired.
The fourth article concerns civilian deaths and the destruction of civilian facilities in Iran, particularly an airstrike on a girls’ school in Minab. Iranian sources reportedly said 168 people were killed, many of them children. The motion alleges that the US Department of Defense failed to ensure the necessary precautions to protect civilians.
The fifth article objects to US military operations targeting boats suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean. Massie said at least 243 people were killed in those operations. The motion also includes allegations of repeat attacks on survivors, failure to rescue wounded people and those stranded at sea, and the use of lethal military force without legal authority.
The sixth article concerns alleged retaliatory actions against US Senator Mark Kelly. In November 2025, Kelly told US troops in a message that they could refuse unlawful orders. The Pentagon subsequently threatened him with a possible military court-martial and other disciplinary measures. Massie said these actions violated the constitutional right to freedom of expression.
In the seventh article, Congressman Massie raised the issue of the capture and transfer out of the country of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, through a US military operation. The motion says congressional approval or appropriate constitutional and legal authority was not obtained for the operation.
The eighth article refers to the US military operation “Raf Raider” against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, which continued from 15 March to 6 May 2025. Massie said congressional approval was not obtained to launch the campaign and that legal requirements concerning war powers were not fulfilled.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, meanwhile, rejected the allegations and described the impeachment effort as politically motivated. He said military action against Iran was necessary because the Iranian government was attempting to obtain nuclear weapons and that confronting the threat was unavoidable.
Speaking to reporters, Hegseth said he was prepared to defend his military policies and the actions of the US administration. He said the impeachment motion was the result of political differences.
US President Donald Trump also defended his defense secretary, criticized Thomas Massie and supported Hegseth’s performance. House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed concern about impeachment proceedings against the defense secretary during overseas military operations, saying such action could send the wrong message to US allies and adversaries during wartime.
Under the US Constitution, impeachment of a federal official must first be approved by the House of Representatives. If the House approves the impeachment, the matter will go to the Senate, where a trial will be held and the charges decided.
Voting on the motion against Pete Hegseth is expected in the House of Representatives by the middle of this week, although the outcome and the next steps in the Senate remain unclear. The report said Democratic Party leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer have also supported the impeachment effort.
The Republican Party is expected to retain majorities in both chambers until the new Congress convenes in January 2027. The development has become a significant political challenge for President Donald Trump’s administration because the impeachment effort was initiated by a member of the Republican Party itself.