Washington DC: US Republican Congressman Thomas Massie has said he will withdraw his impeachment effort against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth if the Pentagon chief resigns, intensifying pressure on the Trump administration following the Republican Party’s setbacks in the November 3 midterm elections.
“There is one contingency in which I won’t reintroduce the articles of impeachment: Hegseth resigns,” Massie wrote on X on November 4, responding to a CNN report.
According to CNN, Massie plans to force a House vote on the impeachment resolution when lawmakers return for their next session. Citing multiple Republican insiders, the report said the measure was expected to secure enough support to pass the chamber.
Calls for Hegseth’s removal have also gained momentum among Democratic lawmakers, who have criticised his leadership and the administration’s handling of the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Representative Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat and member of the House Armed Services Committee, told CBS News that Hegseth’s continued leadership posed risks to American service members.
“He’s incompetent. Every day that he’s in the Pentagon … is a day that our service members … are at greater risk,” Crow said.
Representative Pat Ryan, a New York Democrat and former US Army intelligence officer, also described Hegseth’s removal as an immediate priority when Congress reconvenes.
In a post on X, Ryan said lawmakers would have an opportunity to vote on a privileged impeachment resolution next week, adding that every representative would have to publicly declare their position. He accused Hegseth of mishandling the Iran conflict, failing to bring it to an end and putting American troops at risk.
Massie’s impeachment effort dates back to September 15, when he introduced a 34-page resolution on the House floor, outlining allegations concerning US military operations, civilian casualties and the administration’s Iran strategy.
According to ABC News, the document also accused Hegseth of exceeding his authority during military operations involving Iran, Yemen, Venezuela and other regions while bypassing congressional oversight. These remain allegations raised by Massie and have not been established as formal findings of misconduct.
The initial effort failed to reach a formal House vote before lawmakers adjourned for midterm campaigning.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump publicly backed Hegseth on November 4, saying he was doing a “very good job” despite mounting speculation about his political future. The Pentagon has also defended the secretary, saying he remains committed to leading the department.
An impeachment resolution requires a simple majority in the House, while conviction and removal in the Senate require a two-thirds majority of senators present and voting.
