Republican Congressman Thomas Massie has introduced eight articles of impeachment against US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, accusing him of a series of constitutional and legal violations linked to US military operations abroad.

Massie formally presented the impeachment resolution on the floor of the US House of Representatives and invoked the chamber's privileged resolution procedure, requiring House Republican leaders to bring the measure to the floor within two legislative days.

The resolution calls for Hegseth's removal from office and seeks to bar him from holding any future federal position.

Resolution cites military operations and constitutional violations

The eight articles of impeachment include allegations concerning Hegseth's role in US military operations involving Iran, Yemen and Venezuela, as well as accusations related to congressional oversight, civilian casualties and freedom of expression.

The first three articles accuse Hegseth of violating the 1973 War Powers Resolution by directing military operations against Iran without congressional authorization and by continuing the conflict despite congressional efforts to limit US military involvement.

Another article alleges that Hegseth undermined safeguards designed to protect civilians during military operations. The resolution also refers to a US strike on the Sherejeh-ye Tayyebeh Girls' Primary School in Iran's Minab area, claiming the attack killed more than 150 civilians, including 120 children.

A separate article focuses on US military operations targeting vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean.

The resolution also accuses Hegseth of retaliating against retired Navy commander and Senator Mark Kelly after Kelly appeared in a video reminding military personnel that they have a duty to refuse unlawful orders, alleging that the defense secretary sought to suppress constitutionally protected free speech.

Another article alleges that Hegseth authorized an unlawful military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, while the final article accuses him of directing the US military campaign in Yemen, which the resolution says involved more than 1,100 strikes over a period of approximately 52 days.

House vote could come within days

Under US constitutional procedure, impeachment proceedings begin in the House of Representatives. If a simple majority approves one or more articles of impeachment, the official charges are forwarded to the US Senate, which conducts the trial.

Conviction and removal from office require the support of a two-thirds majority in the Senate, meaning at least 67 senators must vote in favor.

Hegseth has rejected the allegations and indicated that he has no intention of resigning, while US President Donald Trump has publicly expressed his support for the defense secretary despite the impeachment effort.(ILKHA)