A Republican lawmaker, Thomas Massie, has introduced articles of impeachment against United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over his role in the Iran war.
Massie, who represents Kentucky, presented the articles on the House floor on Monday, seeking to force lawmakers to vote on whether Hegseth should remain in office.
The congressman accused Hegseth of abusing his powers and carrying out military orders that he described as unconstitutional.
Reading the impeachment articles, Massie alleged that the defence secretary had “knowingly executed and implemented unlawful orders” by authorising and carrying out strikes against Iran.
He argued that the Trump administration launched the war without congressional approval and continued military operations despite demands from Congress for the Pentagon to end hostilities.
Massie said Hegseth’s actions amounted to an abuse of his authority and warned that he would remain a threat to the Constitution if allowed to continue as defence secretary.
The impeachment effort comes amid political fallout from the unpopular Iran war, which senior Republican officials have blamed for the party’s heavy losses in last week’s midterm elections.
Massie’s move places Hegseth’s handling of the conflict before the House, where lawmakers will face pressure to take a position on the impeachment effort.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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