Republican congressman takes step to force vote to impeach Pete Hegseth

A Republican congressman has taken steps to force a vote to impeach US defence secretary Pete Hegseth.

Thomas Massie, who represents Kentucky, has filed a resolution in the House of Representatives to impeach Mr Hegseth.

The resolution introduced by Mr Massie largely focuses on the war in Iran. It also includes references to Mr Hegseth's role in carrying out military actions in Yemen and Venezuela.

A vote in the House could come by mid-week.

Mr Massie has said the process would be "much gentler" than what is set to come once Republicans cede control of Congress next year.

"They'll have hearings & trials," Mr Massie wrote on ​X.

It comes after Mr Hegseth announced he will hold a rare news conference, his first in more than 180 days, on his looming impeachment threat.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has also indicated he and his fellow Democrats would back an impeachment of the defence secretary as they plan what to do with their majorities in both houses of Congress.

US President Donald Trump defended Mr Hegseth ​against ‌impeachment efforts, saying: "Well, he ​won ⁠two wars. ⁠I don't know how ‌you can impeach him.

"What about impeaching the ⁠people from ​Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq ​and all ​of that, where we ⁠fought forever and ⁠nothing happened?"

What is impeachment?

Impeachment is when a legislative body formally levels charges - which have to be very serious - against a high official of government, including the president.

It does not mean automatic removal from office and is only the first step towards removal.

It is not a criminal trial but a process to remove a high-level official.

Mr Hegseth said he would hold his news conference on Tuesday. He added he was eager to litigate the policy choices he and Mr Trump had made in Iran and Venezuela.

He told reporters: "If you want to take issue with what we did in Epic Fury or Rough Rider or nabbing Nicolas Maduro, you're taking issue with the troops and what they accomplished, which is historic."

Musk and Miller under scrutiny

Elon Musk and Mr Trump's new chief of staff Stephen Miller could face congressional subpoenas - formal legal commands issued by House or Senate committees to compel the production of records, documents, or sworn testimony.

California representative Robert Garcia, who is in line to chair the powerful House Oversight Committee next year, said investigations will focus ​on Mr Musk's involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency's firing of scores of federal workers last ‌year.

The part played by Mr Miller in Mr Trump's hardline immigration crackdown, which included operations in which two people were fatally shot in Minnesota by federal agents, will also come under intense scrutiny, said Mr Garcia.

"I think there's a lot of interest, not just from our committee, but from ​committees across Congress to speak to
Mr Musk," Mr Garcia told CNN's State of the Union.

The politician noted Mr Miller is at the centre of major policy decisions in the administration, so "oversight and investigation" are due.

The suggested probes of Mr Musk and Mr Miller are among the first indications of the Democrats' plans for January, when they will be seated.

Democrats back Hegseth impeachment

Mr Jeffries, who will become speaker of the US House in January, said on Sunday ⁠that Democrats would support a measure to impeach Mr Hegseth, a congressional process ​that could see him removed from office, although that would require 67 votes in the 100-seat Senate, where the Democrats currently have 54 seats.

He told ABC News he's a "hard yes" on the impeachment, adding Mr Hegseth has "abused his power" and "undermined our national security".

Mr Jeffries had asked in a social post on Thursday: "Why is Pete Hegseth still around?"

Mr Trump has batted away questions about whether he might fire Mr Hegseth, but has previously commended his Pentagon chief.

On Saturday, the US president posted a video on Truth Social that Mr Hegseth put out earlier last week in which the defence secretary vowed to fight efforts to impeach him, without offering any explanation for doing so.

Mr Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has been a polarising figure, even within his own Republican party.

Democrats have promised to investigate Mr Hegseth and his handling of the Pentagon, with congressional aides saying this would include his firing of the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, among other issues.

"Pete Hegseth has got to go... I believe there will be incredibly strong support ⁠for that resolution," Mr Jeffries told ABC's This Week.

(c) Sky News 2026: Republican congressman takes step to force vote to impeach Pete Hegseth