House Launches Impeachment Proceedings Against Defense Secretary Hegseth

A Republican congressman has initiated impeachment proceedings against U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of conducting the war in Iran without congressional approval. The move was announced Monday by Representative Thomas Massie. Massie's resolution charges Hegseth with violating the law by launching military action against Iran without authorization, and with ignoring laws protecting civilians in wartime, citing a bombing of a primary school in Minab that killed 120 children. The eight articles also include accusations of extrajudicial executions during strikes on drug trafficking boats. The House could vote on impeachment this week, where it may pass due to Republican opposition and absenteeism, but conviction in the Senate requires a two-thirds majority, making removal unlikely with 53 Republican senators. Hegseth has defended his actions, while President Trump called Massie a "loser" and voiced support for his defense secretary.