Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., intends to reintroduce articles of impeachment against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth next week. This move comes as shifts within the Republican party following the midterm elections may increase the likelihood of the articles passing the House.
Massie previously attempted to introduce articles of impeachment against Hegseth before the midterms, but the effort was derailed when the House adjourned early. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., had condemned the prior effort, though he maintained that the adjournment was not due to fears of impeachment. The expiration of the original articles allows Massie to reintroduce them, and House rules require that they be considered within two days.
While the House could potentially vote to table the articles or send them to a committee, a growing number of House Republicans have expressed dissatisfaction with Hegseth. This sentiment, coupled with the election results which saw Democrats gain ground, could sway more Republicans to support impeachment. All Democrats are expected to vote in favor of impeachment, and some Republicans have privately indicated a willingness to do so. Furthermore, some Republicans may seek a scapegoat for the election outcomes, and the handling of the war in Iran has been cited as a contributing factor to the Republican losses, potentially increasing the number of GOP members open to impeachment.
Attendance issues following the midterms, with some members who lost or faced unexpected defeats potentially not showing up, could also alter the vote count in favor of impeachment.
A simple majority is required for impeachment in the House. If the articles pass, they would then be sent to the Senate.
In the Senate, impeachment articles must be received and considered, but the chamber could move to dismiss them, as occurred with articles against former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Such a dismissal could happen with a simple majority. The voting intentions of key Republican senators, including John Cornyn of Texas, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, as well as senators like Lisa Murkowski and John Curtis of Alaska, and Todd Young of Indiana, remain uncertain. A conviction and removal from office would require a two-thirds vote in the Senate.
Articles of impeachment can carry over into a new Congress. It remains unclear whether a newly constituted Senate, potentially with a Democratic majority, would wish to engage in an impeachment trial early in its term, especially given potential Democratic priorities such as affordability and healthcare. Conversely, a Democratic Senate might see an impeachment trial of Hegseth as an opportunity, particularly given the war in Iran's impact on recent election results.