Massie filed the motion as privileged, forcing Republican leaders to schedule a vote within two legislative days. He was the only Republican to support advancing the measure to an impeachment vote. "He has violated the norms of war, and it's to the disadvantage and the dishonor of our country, and to the danger of our soldiers in future conflicts," Massie said.

The resolution contained eight articles of impeachment. The first charged Hegseth with waging war against Iran without a congressional declaration, statutory authorization, an attack on the United States, or an imminent threat. Three other articles related to Iran accused him of continuing hostilities after both chambers directed the removal of U.S. forces, ignoring the War Powers Resolution's 60-day termination period, and disregarding laws meant to minimize civilian casualties.

Another article alleged Hegseth directed "extrajudicial killings" of suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean, ordered secondary strikes on survivors, and instructed U.S. personnel not to rescue shipwrecked persons. Additional articles accused him of illegally seizing and deposing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to assert control over Venezuela's oil reserves; using the Defense Department to retaliate against and demote Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., for advising service members to disobey unlawful orders; and conducting an unlawful war in Yemen.

Speaking at the Pentagon earlier Tuesday, Hegseth dismissed the effort as a "political spectacle" and a "farce." He defended the military operations as lawful. "We destroyed terror regimes' capabilities. We sank the boats carrying poison into our communities. We put a narco dictator in handcuffs," he said. "These are not high crimes. This is the job, and it's the job well done."

Hegseth also compared the impeachment vote to the two Democratic-led impeachments of President Donald Trump, saying, "If standing with President Trump puts me in that company, I'll take that company every day of the week." Trump posted on Truth Social that Hegseth "gets an 'A' PLUS, PLUS, PLUS for his defense against a disgruntled, angry, defeated, former Congressman, Thomas Massie, a TOTAL LOSER!"

Even some Republican critics of Hegseth opposed the impeachment. Outgoing Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., an Air Force veteran, said he disagreed with the resolution's approach. "I don't really align with the impeachment itself," Bacon told reporters. "But I surely, if you would have put in [a line] about firing 80 generals, if we talk about firing 80 generals and not spending appropriated money, I'd feel a little differently about it."

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., who is also leaving Congress, suggested Massie was motivated by his primary defeat earlier this year—a race in which Trump and Hegseth helped oust him. Issa added that even if the House had approved the resolution, the Senate would not convict. "It's going to die in the Senate; it's just that simple," he said. "The Secretary has committed no high crimes or misdemeanors. The Senate often has to protect against the rashness of the House."

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who is positioned to become speaker in January, has said Democrats will "run Pete Hegseth out of town" when they take control of Congress next year. For now, Hegseth remains in his post with Trump's backing.