Eight impeachment articles introduced against US defence secretary

Republican congressman Thomas Massie has introduced eight impeachment articles against US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in the House of Representatives. A vote is expected later this week, but the filing does not mean Hegseth has been impeached or removed from office.

The articles accuse Hegseth of unlawful conduct linked to military operations and congressional war powers, including the conflict in Iran. Those are allegations in the proposed charges, not findings by a court or a completed impeachment judgment.

Democratic leaders support the effort, while the number of Republicans who may join them remains uncertain. A simple majority in the House can approve impeachment articles. Conviction and removal are separate and require a two-thirds majority in the Senate.

President Donald Trump has said he would continue supporting Hegseth even if the House impeached him. He defended the defence secretary by claiming the administration had won two wars. That is the president's characterisation, not an independent finding about military outcomes.

Hegseth said he was not worried about the bid and scheduled a Pentagon news conference. Possible congressional action could also involve setting the articles aside or referring them to a committee. No vote result or removal has been established by the available reporting.