Outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. Massie believes support for impeachment has grown since the election, and he will reintroduce a privileged impeachment resolution that is substantially the same as the eight charges he filed in September. The resolution will be updated to reflect continued military action, including the bombing of more fishing boats.
Massie's decision to impeach Hegseth is reportedly linked to the war in Iran, which some Republicans, including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, claim contributed to the midterm election losses. However, President Trump has stated that he intends to keep Hegseth as Secretary of War.
Massie's efforts to impeach Hegseth were previously blocked by House Speaker Mike Johnson, who sent members home early to prevent a vote. Massie is unsure if his resolution will pass, but he thinks the chances are better now than before the election.
He believes some members may vote for the impeachment to distance themselves from the administration or the war. With only 20 legislative days left in office, Massie plans to focus on impeaching Hegseth and advancing his Epstein Files Transparency Act II.
He claims that these efforts will be more productive than the entire conference's work outside of the continuing resolution.