The Media Line: Rubio Denounces Articles of Impeachment Filed Against Hegseth as ‘Unfair’  

Rubio Denounces Articles of Impeachment Filed Against Hegseth as ‘Unfair’  

By The Media Line Staff  

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday against a renewed impeachment effort by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, calling the move “unfair” and praising Hegseth’s leadership as he faces allegations of conducting unauthorized military operations against Iran.  

Speaking at the G7 gathering in Paris, Rubio said Hegseth had done a “great job”  on national security matters. He praised the defense secretary’s professionalism, intelligence and dedication, citing their daily working relationship.  

Rubio also defended the Trump administration’s military campaign against Iran on Sunday, saying, “It doesn’t have to be necessarily popular, but it can be necessary”.  

Massie, R-Ky., reintroduced eight impeachment articles Monday, alleging that Hegseth had conducted military operations against Iran without congressional authorization and continued hostilities beyond the 60-day period established by the 1973 War Powers Resolution.  

The Kentucky congressman, a longtime critic of President Donald Trump who intends to retire at the end of the year, originally introduced the charges in September.  

Additional allegations concern extrajudicial killings in strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vessels, the US capture of then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and military operations in Yemen.  

By submitting the resolution as a privileged measure, Massie triggered a requirement for House leaders to bring it to a vote within two legislative days. Republicans could instead move to dismiss the resolution, which would also require majority support.  

Hegseth rejected concerns about the impeachment push Monday, telling reporters, “We’re not worried about that.” He announced plans to address the accusations at a Pentagon news conference Tuesday.  

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., expressed support for impeachment Sunday, describing himself as a “hard yes” and accusing Hegseth of abusing his authority and pursuing a costly war against Iran.  

A simple House majority would be sufficient to impeach Hegseth. The Senate would then consider whether to convict him and remove him from office.