House Democrats are leaving the door open to another impeachment push against War Secretary Pete Hegseth, this time over unsubstantiated allegations involving military assistance to Ukraine, Fox News Digital reported.
The potential new fight comes after House Republicans blocked Rep. Thomas Massie’s impeachment effort Tuesday by referring his resolution to the Judiciary Committee, preventing an immediate vote on the articles.
Democrats will take control of Congress in January, giving them the power to launch investigations and pursue additional charges against President Donald Trump’s Pentagon chief.
But Massie, R-Ky., acknowledged to Fox News Digital that he could not substantiate allegations that Hegseth improperly withheld military assistance to Ukraine.
“I heard that as one of the complaints that wasn’t in my impeachment resolution,” Massie told the outlet.
Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., said she expects congressional oversight committees to hold hearings examining Hegseth’s handling of Ukraine funding, according to Fox News Digital.
Massie predicted those investigations could produce another impeachment effort, potentially combining allegations from his resolution with new ones.
“I believe [Democrats] may use some of the same articles of impeachment when they’re in the majority, but I also believe there are gonna be some other articles of impeachment based on hearings and committees,” Massie told Fox News Digital. “I think the Democrats will do that.”
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Zach Smith, a legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation, argued that Democrats’ impeachment plans could bog down Congress and the administration while falling short of removing Hegseth.
Smith called efforts to pursue impeachment and potential prosecution of Trump administration officials an “unfortunate waste of time,” citing the steep Senate threshold for conviction.
Impeachment requires a simple majority in the House. Removing an official requires a conviction supported by two-thirds of senators present.
Smith argued that the proceedings could have another political objective: discouraging conservatives from serving in future Republican administrations.
He also said an impeachment battle would divert Congress from “the many very important issues that our country is facing today,” including the cost-of-living concerns Democrats campaigned on before the midterms.
“Not only does this mean that the House and the Senate will have to take time away from the legislative activities they should be focusing on, but it will also make it more difficult for members of the Trump administration to do their duties as well, because they’ll have to be dealing with these requests and other efforts by Congress,” Smith told Fox News.
Massie’s impeachment resolution included allegations involving military operations against Iran and suspected drug-smuggling vessels without congressional authorization.
Congress has the constitutional power to declare war, while the president serves as commander in chief. The scope of presidential authority to initiate hostilities without congressional approval remains legally disputed.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called Monday for the House to impeach Hegseth and urged the Senate to conduct a trial to remove him.
Massie said he hopes a Democratic-controlled Senate would hold a trial if the House impeaches Hegseth.
He acknowledged that another effort could be largely symbolic without a Senate conviction, but argued the proceedings could still pressure Hegseth to resign.
“So there’s still a reason to proceed,” Massie said.
