Arabic version: قرار ماسي لعزل هيغسيث يواجه اختباراً في مجلس النواب

According to Al Jazeera, Republican Congressman Thomas Massie has introduced eight articles of impeachment against US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, accusing him of carrying out unlawful orders, violating the Constitution and failing to protect civilians. The resolution started a two-day countdown that could bring a House vote by midweek.

Four articles concern the war on Iran, including allegations that Hegseth waged war without congressional approval, ignored a June resolution ordering US forces out of the fighting and continued hostilities after an unauthorised-hostilities limit expired on May 1. The articles also cite the Minab school strike, which killed 156 civilians, mostly children, and accuse Hegseth of fostering a culture hostile to civilian protection.

Other counts concern Venezuela, Caribbean boat strikes and the 2025 US campaign against Yemen’s Houthi group. The Venezuela-related allegations include the abduction of former President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and the killings of at least 243 people in at least 69 boat strikes since September 2025. Another article focuses on Hegseth’s treatment of Democratic Senator Mark Kelly after Kelly and other lawmakers told troops they could refuse illegal orders.

Hegseth called the impeachment effort “a farce” and “a stunt”, describing the operations as lawful and saying policy disagreements should be addressed through legislation, debate or elections. President Donald Trump has backed Hegseth. Democrats have signalled support for the resolution, but removal remains unlikely: a House majority can impeach, while conviction and removal require a two-thirds Senate majority. Republicans currently hold 53 of the Senate’s 100 seats.