A possible House vote, not automatic removal
Massie, a Kentucky Republican and Trump critic, told CNN he would seek the vote next week. Democrats now control the House, and several Republican sources told the network they expect the impeachment effort to succeed.
Impeachment would not itself remove Hegseth from office. The Constitution allows the House to impeach a federal official, including a Cabinet secretary, with a simple majority. A Senate conviction and removal require a two-thirds majority: 67 votes if all 100 senators are present.
Such action against a Cabinet official has been rare. Secretary of War William Belknap, impeached in 1876, was the only example before Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was impeached in February 2024. Both were acquitted in the Senate.
Belknap had resigned two hours before the scheduled House vote, but lawmakers proceeded with impeachment. The Senate then voted 37-29 that it had jurisdiction to try a former official. The votes to find him guilty ultimately fell short of the two-thirds threshold.
Republicans fault Hegseth's push for war
Republicans blaming Hegseth for their election losses say he was a leading voice behind the scenes in persuading Trump to attack Iran without an exit strategy, according to CNN. Several also accused him of exaggerating how quickly and easily the United States could win.
Those Republicans said Hegseth continued pressing for escalation even though sustained bombing had shown little sign of moving Iran toward surrender. CNN also reported that he has built few close relationships on Capitol Hill.
The conflict began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes at the end of February and has left the United States engaged in the Middle East indefinitely. It has contributed to the affordability crisis and is believed to have helped drive the midterm backlash against Republicans.
Still, House and Senate GOP strategists privately acknowledge that the party's difficulties went well beyond the war, CNN reported. They have appeared reluctant to assign blame directly to Trump.
Earlier calls for resignation
Hegseth had faced demands to resign well before the midterm defeat. By late 2025, CNN Politics reported, he was under pressure over both his handling of military information and a strike in the Caribbean.
A Pentagon inspector general report found that Hegseth risked compromising sensitive military information when he shared attack plans through the Signal app in March 2025. Separately, a September 2, 2025, follow-up strike on an alleged drug-trafficking boat in the Caribbean reportedly killed crew members who had survived the initial attack.
Trump continues to back his defense secretary
Trump has shown no loss of confidence in Hegseth, according to CNN. The president personally likes him and has reportedly told aides that Hegseth should resist the impeachment effort. One official recounted Trump telling Hegseth two days earlier: "You're my best guy. You're the best guy I have."
CNN reported that Trump may also want Hegseth to remain in place if he orders additional strikes against Iran. Democrats' new Senate majority is likely to make confirmation of replacement Cabinet officials more difficult.
Asked Wednesday about Hegseth's future, Trump ruled out plans to fire him and said the defense secretary was "doing a very good job." He also defended his decision to launch the war: "If I had it to do again, I'd have to do it again."
