Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) on Thursday, October 15, publicly urged President Donald Trump to dismiss Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Massie’s call comes amidst an ongoing effort by the Kentucky Republican to impeach Hegseth over the administration's military operations in Iran, an effort that has created divisions within congressional Republican ranks. The congressman’s warning was issued in response to an unverified report suggesting President Trump was considering removing Hegseth following the upcoming November midterm elections. The report also claimed that President Trump had privately attributed the political repercussions of the ongoing conflict with Iran to the defense secretary.
"Trump should fire Hegseth to avoid Hegseth’s impeachment. It’s the honorable thing to do." Rep. Thomas Massie, Republican Congressman (Kentucky)
Massie articulated his position on X, stating, "Trump should fire Hegseth to avoid Hegseth’s impeachment. It’s the honorable thing to do." This statement underscores Massie's belief that a pre-emptive dismissal by President Trump would be a more appropriate resolution than a congressional impeachment process. The Hill, which initially reported Massie’s remarks, noted it had not independently verified the claims regarding President Trump’s alleged plans to remove Hegseth.
This latest development follows Massie's earlier legislative actions against the Defense Secretary. In September, Rep. Massie formally introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth. These articles accuse the Defense Secretary of committing "high crimes and misdemeanors" by participating in military operations against Iran that Massie contends were initiated without proper congressional authorization. Furthermore, Massie alleged that Hegseth misused the authority vested in the Department of Defense.
The impeachment initiative has become a point of contention within the Republican Party, particularly as the November 3 midterm elections draw near. House Republican leadership opted to postpone a vote on the impeachment resolution, which was originally anticipated in September. The consideration of the resolution has been rescheduled for the lame-duck session following the elections. This decision drew sharp criticism from both Massie and some Democratic lawmakers, who suggested that Republican leadership intentionally delayed the vote to avoid a potentially controversial public stance before voters head to the polls.
Massie specifically argued that the House adjourned early to prevent members from having to declare a public position on Hegseth’s impeachment. He affirmed his commitment to the issue, stating, "The House recessed early to avoid the vote, so I will reintroduce Hegseth articles of impeachment when we return for the lame-duck session, regardless of the outcome of the midterm election."
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has rejected accusations that Republican leaders manipulated the congressional schedule for political motives. Johnson dismissed such claims as "ridiculous," firmly denying that the delay in the vote was intended to protect vulnerable Republican lawmakers from political controversy.
Massie’s ongoing confrontation with the administration highlights his consistent disagreements with President Trump regarding the scope of presidential authority and the necessity of congressional oversight in military matters. The outgoing congressman has repeatedly challenged the administration’s military strategy in Iran, asserting that decisions pertaining to war must receive explicit authorization from Congress. Earlier this year, Massie introduced a war powers resolution aimed at restricting the President’s capacity to continue military operations against Iran without legislative approval. This effort gained prominence as American military casualties in the conflict reportedly mounted.
Rep. Massie has steadfastly maintained that Congress cannot abdicate its constitutional responsibilities simply because military actions are supported by a president from the same political party. His principled opposition has placed him at odds with President Trump, who endorsed Ed Gallrein in Kentucky’s Republican congressional primary earlier this year. Gallrein ultimately defeated Massie, effectively ending the incumbent’s bid for an additional term in the House of Representatives.
Despite his primary defeat, Massie has continued to advocate for action against Hegseth before his tenure in Congress concludes. His latest demand has intensified scrutiny on the Defense Secretary’s future as lawmakers prepare to reconvene for the post-election session. It is important to note that while Massie has introduced articles of impeachment, Hegseth has not been impeached by the House, and the accusations have not been substantiated through an impeachment vote. Furthermore, President Trump has not publicly confirmed any intention to remove Hegseth from his position. For now, Massie maintains that President Trump should act decisively before Congress proceeds with the impeachment effort.
