Congress told him to stop. He kept going.
On September 15, 2026, a Republican congressman read eight articles of impeachment against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth into the record of the House. This site lays out what they charge, where the evidence comes from, and what you can do before the House votes.
The eight articles
Read the full 34-page resolution- IWaging war in violation of the War Powers Resolution, section 2(c)Ordering U.S. forces into hostilities against Iran on February 28, 2026 with no declaration of war, no statutory authorization, and no attack on the United States.The Iran war
- IIDefying Congress's direction to withdraw, section 5(c)Continuing the war after both chambers of Congress voted, for the first time in American history, to direct the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities.The Iran war
- IIIFighting past the 60-day termination clock, section 5(b)Sustaining hostilities after the War Powers Resolution's 60-day window expired on May 1, 2026, and after even a maximum 30-day extension would have ended June 1.The Iran war
- IVIgnoring laws that minimize civilian casualtiesDismantling congressionally mandated civilian-harm safeguards, firing the top military lawyers, and presiding over a strike that hit an elementary school in Minab, Iran three times.Conduct of war
- VExtrajudicial killings at seaA campaign of at least 63 strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific that killed at least 221 people, including secondary strikes on survivors.Conduct of war
- VISuppressing free speechUsing the Department to threaten, censure and attempt to punish Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, for telling service members they can refuse illegal orders.Abuse of office
- VIIKidnapping a sovereign foreign leaderDirecting Operation Absolute Resolve, the January 3, 2026 assault on Caracas that seized Nicolás Maduro, killed at least 83 people and caused seven American casualties, without any authorization from Congress.Abuse of office
- VIIIUnlawful war in YemenLaunching Operation Rough Rider, more than 1,100 strikes over 52 days in spring 2025, with no congressional authorization and, by his own words in the leaked Signal chat, no imminent threat.Conduct of war
What happens now
How cabinet impeachment worksThe resolution is privileged
Massie filed under House Rule IX, which lets any member force consideration of an impeachment resolution within two legislative days, with no committee and no permission from leadership.
Leadership ran out the clock
The vote would have been due Thursday, September 17. On Wednesday, Speaker Johnson canceled Thursday's session and sent members home to campaign. The House does not return until November 9.
Then comes the motion to table
Johnson has said the resolution "will immediately be tabled" when the House returns. A tabling vote kills it without ever voting on the articles. That is a recorded vote, and every member's name goes next to it.
The tabling vote is the whole game. A member who votes to table is voting to make sure the charges are never heard. Ask yours which way they'll vote.
What the other side says
You should hear the defense in its own words. These are the responses on the record as of September 16, 2026.
The Pentagon called Hegseth a "transformative leader" for the Department and said the whole Department is unified behind his vision of putting warfighters and America first.
Speaker Mike Johnson called the effort "ridiculous," a "publicity stunt by someone who wants attention," and said it "will immediately be tabled" when the House comes back.
The White House maintains the Iran campaign is lawful under the President's authority as commander in chief and is necessary to keep Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and to protect U.S. forces and allies.
GOP leaders insisted the early recess had nothing to do with the impeachment resolution and was about letting members get home to campaign.
How we got here
Full timelineThe Iran war begins
U.S. and Israeli forces open Operation Epic Fury. Within the first hour, three Tomahawks hit an elementary school in Minab.
The 60-day clock runs out
No declaration, no authorization, no extension. The War Powers Resolution says U.S. forces "shall" be withdrawn. They are not.
Congress says stop
House and Senate agree to a concurrent resolution directing withdrawal from Iran, the first time both chambers have ever done so.
Eight articles, read aloud
Massie takes the floor without warning leadership and reads the resolution for more than an hour. That night the House passes another Iran war powers resolution, 220 to 204, with seven Republicans.
The House leaves
Thursday's votes are canceled. Members go home until November 9.
Why a citizen site
Impeachment is the one accountability tool the Constitution gives Congress that cannot be vetoed, stayed by a court, or waited out with a recess. It has been used against a cabinet secretary exactly twice in 237 years. The first was William Belknap, in 1876. He was Secretary of War.
Whether it is used a third time depends on 435 people who are, right now, in their districts asking for your vote. This site exists so that when they ask, you have the record in front of you and a clear question to ask back.