The 34-page resolution accuses Hegseth of violating the War Powers Resolution by continuing military operations in Iran without congressional authorization, among other charges. Massie, a libertarian-leaning Republican who has broken with his party on war powers issues, said Hegseth's conduct warranted removal.

"In all of this, Secretary Hegseth has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as Secretary of Defense," Massie said on the floor.

The articles charge Hegseth with waging war in contravention of three sections of the 1973 War Powers Resolution: initiating hostilities without a declaration of war or imminent threat, continuing the Iran war after Congress directed the removal of U.S. forces through H. Con. Res. 86, and ignoring the resolution's 60-day termination deadline. Additional articles accuse him of ignoring laws meant to minimize civilian casualties, ordering extrajudicial killings of suspected drug traffickers that resulted in at least 243 deaths, retaliating against Sen. Mark Kelly for constitutionally protected speech, directing the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores without legal authority, and initiating military operations in Yemen without congressional authorization.

Hegseth defended his record when speaking to reporters Monday. "If you want to take issue with what we did in Epic Fury or Rough Rider or nabbing Nicolás Maduro, you're taking issue with the troops and what they accomplished, which is historic," he said. He plans to hold a news conference at the Pentagon on Tuesday, his first in more than 180 days.

President Trump has maintained confidence in Hegseth, telling 60 Minutes on Sunday that he still supports his defense secretary.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he expects Democrats to provide "incredibly strong" support for Massie's effort. Massie suggested his move was a measured warning to the White House.

"My effort to impeach Secretary Hegseth is a much gentler version of what's coming when the Democrats assume control of the House and Senate next year," Massie said in a statement. "They will hold hearings and trials. President Trump should replace Secretary Hegseth now while he can still get a replacement confirmed in the Senate."

Because the resolution is privileged, House Speaker Mike Johnson must schedule a vote or action within two legislative days. A simple majority is needed to pass the resolution. With current numbers, a small number of Republican defectors plus unified Democratic support would be enough to impeach Hegseth.

If the House approves the articles, the matter moves to the Senate, where a two-thirds supermajority would be required to convict and remove Hegseth from office — a high bar that makes removal unlikely unless many senators break ranks.

The push comes amid broader scrutiny of the administration's military actions abroad and questions about congressional oversight. Massie's move underscores growing unease within some corners of the GOP over executive branch war-making, even as party leaders have largely rallied around the president's national security team.