Is Trump Preparing to Fire Pete Hegseth? Massie Reacts to Report on Pentagon Chief’s Future

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) urged President Donald Trump on Oct. 15 to fire Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth before the House reconvenes for its lame-duck session, where Massie has pledged to revive impeachment proceedings against the Pentagon chief. Massie indicated that Trump was considering removing Hegseth after the midterm elections and shifting blame for the unpopular Iran war onto the defense secretary.

“Trump should fire Hegseth to avoid Hegseth’s impeachment. It’s the honorable thing to do,” Massie wrote on X. Massie’s move comes after House Republicans postponed consideration of his impeachment effort until lawmakers return for the lame-duck session following the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

Massie’s Impeachment Push Against Hegseth

Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth in September, accusing the defense secretary of waging an unauthorized war in Iran and violating the War Powers Resolution of 1973 by initiating and sustaining military operations without congressional approval.

On the House floor, Massie stated,”Secretary Hegseth abused the powers of his high office through the following means: one, executing an unlawful order to commence hostilities despite the absence of a declaration of war.” It also include other allegations concerning Hegseth’s use of official powers. These are accusations made by Massie and haven’t been established as findings of wrongdoing.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) sent the House into an early recess rather than put the articles up for a vote. Massie told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins that he believed the early adjournment was connected to his impeachment push, arguing that Johnson could have held a vote before adjourning. Johnson dismissed the effort as “a stunt,” saying “Secretary Hegseth has done an extraordinary job.”

Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson also defended the defense secretary. Wilson said in a statement, “Secretary Hegseth has slashed bureaucracy, unleashed innovation, and delivered for our warfighters every step of the way.”

Republican Criticism Adds to Pressure on Hegseth

Massie’s impeachment push comes amid criticism of Hegseth from other Republicans. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who voted to confirm Hegseth in 2025, has urged Trump to find a new Pentagon leader, accusing the defense secretary of creating a “leadership void” within the military.

The possibility of a post-election Cabinet shake-up has also drawn comparisons with past presidential personnel decisions. Also, there were no public signs that Trump had decided to remove Hegseth, while suggesting that a weak Republican performance in the midterms could give the White House a reason to consider a high-profile personnel change.

The analysis compared the possibility of a post-election personnel change with President George W. Bush’s dismissal of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Nov. 8, 2006, after Democrats gained control of Congress in the midterm elections.

Mike Nelson, a retired Special Forces officer and fellow at the National Security Institute, said on a New York Times podcast that Hegseth may be “not long for this world” if Trump looks for someone to blame after the midterms, as Rumsfeld was in 2006.

Hegseth’s Pentagon Record Faces Scrutiny

Hegseth’s tenure has drawn scrutiny over military leadership changes, internal Pentagon disputes and the administration’s handling of the Iran conflict. Hegseth’s net approval rating is at minus 22, below that of other Trump Cabinet officials.

His tenure has also included the removal of senior generals, the resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and a Pentagon press policy that a federal judge ruled unconstitutional in March 2026. The ruling and the circumstances surrounding the leadership changes require attribution to the relevant court records and official announcements.

Hegseth has also faced scrutiny over his role in the Iran war. He helped persuade Trump to launch military action despite warnings from some aides about the risks of a prolonged conflict. The developments provide context for the criticism of Hegseth’s leadership.

Trump has continued to express support for Hegseth publicly. In early September, Trump said of the defense secretary, “He’s doing a fantastic job,” calling him a “very good guy” and dismissing reports of Hegseth mounting a 2028 presidential run by saying “right now, all he loves is and all he cares about is the military and taking care of the military.” Trump’s public support contrasts with reports of a possible post-midterm change in Pentagon leadership.