Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky on Monday introduced a House resolution to open impeachment proceedings against U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. It is the first such move against an official in the current Trump administration and reflects the fallout from the Republican setback in last week’s midterms.

Congress returned to work on Monday after the Democrats’ victory on 3 November, and the opening of proceedings against the Pentagon chief is expected among the first items on the House agenda. Hegseth is widely disliked by Democrats and has few supporters even among Republicans, where criticism of him has grown sharper.

Massie’s resolution argues that Hegseth backed military operations that lacked a clear legal basis, well-defined objectives and a coherent strategic rationale, exposing U.S. troops to unnecessary risks.

The initiative must first clear a House vote, which could come as early as Wednesday. If a majority of lawmakers approve it, the measure would then move to the Senate.

Massie, a longtime opponent of U.S. military interventions abroad, first sought to launch impeachment against the former Fox News host in mid-September. House Speaker Mike Johnson delayed consideration then and moved up the House recess ahead of the midterms. Massie, who will not seek reelection when the new Congress takes office in January, had said the only way Hegseth could stop the process was by resigning.

Democrats have indicated they will fully support their Republican colleague’s measure. “A hard yes,” Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries said over the weekend when asked whether his party would back it.

It remains unclear whether the full impeachment process can run its course before the current Congress’s term expires in two months and the new Democratic-controlled Congress is sworn in in January. Simply opening proceedings is already a significant political blow to Hegseth, even as Trump has repeatedly come to his defense.

“He’s guilty of two things, basically winning two wars,” Trump told reporters on Sunday as he returned to Washington from Florida. “I believe we saved the Middle East and Israel combined. And it’s awfully hard to say let’s impeach somebody who did that.”

Source consulted: Republican lawmaker moves to force vote on Pete Hegseth impeachment — EL PAÍS English