Outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie drew a blunt “You are scum” response after demanding that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth resign or face another impeachment push. The Kentucky Republican, who lost his primary earlier this year, is preparing to force action before leaving Congress. His renewed effort comes after Republicans’ midterm defeat prompted recriminations over the Iran war, with Hegseth facing pressure despite President Donald Trump’s public support.
Massie issued his ultimatum on X while sharing a November 4th post from CNN correspondent Natasha Bertrand about his plans for an impeachment vote when Congress returns. Her post cited unnamed Republican sources who expected the measure to pass. Massie wrote, “There is one contingency in which I won’t reintroduce the articles of impeachment: Hegseth resigns.” The following day, an X user replied, “You are scum.”
The congressman’s departure follows his May primary defeat to Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein, who went on to win the general election. Massie is now pursuing impeachment during the remaining weeks of his congressional career, before the incoming Congress takes office in January. Hegseth has responded publicly, attacking Massie’s electoral defeat and accusing the congressman and his Democratic allies of pursuing political destruction.
The angry response followed Massie’s resignation demand as the Iran war became a central explanation for Republican losses on November 3rd. Stars and Stripes reported that voters frequently cited the conflict and rising gas and consumer prices when explaining their support for Democrats. Vice President JD Vance offered his own assessment on November 4th: “The reason we lost is the war.” Democrats won control of both congressional chambers.
Hegseth fired back in a November 5th video, calling Massie a “disgruntled, defeated congressman” and accusing him of joining Democrats in a politically motivated impeachment campaign. Spectrum News reported the remarks and confirmed Gallrein’s primary and general-election victories. Massie’s office said he must reintroduce his resolution because the House’s early departure in September interrupted the required timeline. Speaker Mike Johnson denied Massie’s accusation that he dismissed members early to avoid the impeachment vote.
Massie had already outlined his strategy in an October 26th interview with Roll Call, predicting Democratic support and suggesting Republicans would be more willing to join after their campaigns ended. “Will all the Democrats vote for it? I think the answer to that is yes,” he said. His eight articles include allegations concerning congressional war powers, military operations, civilian protections, and retaliation against a senator’s speech. He planned to seek action during the week of November 9th.
Watch Massie present his impeachment articles on the House floor here:
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Trump addressed Hegseth’s future on November 5th, telling ABC News, “I have every intention to keep him.” The president acknowledged that the Iran war contributed to Republican losses and that confirming a replacement would be easier before Democrats take over the Senate. He also described complaints he had received about Hegseth: “I get these calls, you know, about him. I don’t understand why.”
Hegseth’s video also defended the Pentagon’s policy changes and urged lawmakers to approve a $1.5 trillion defense budget, Federal News Network reported. Speaking from the Pentagon’s ceremonial entrance, he accused his congressional critics of using political theater to destroy their opponents. He compared the campaign against him with Trump’s two impeachments, declaring, “It’s all about the politics of personal destruction. Didn’t work against President Trump, and it won’t work with me.”
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video.