"Impeaching Peter Brian Hegseth, Secretary of Defense for High Crimes and Misdemeanors..." Those words marked the beginning of Massie's lengthy floor address Tuesday.
In the more than hour-long remarks, Massie laid out the actions he said constitute those offenses, citing the war in Iran launched without congressional approval, the Trump administration's targeting of boats in the Caribbean — which has killed more than 220 people — and allegations of the suppression of free speech surrounding Hegseth's quarrel with Democrats over a video urging troops to refuse illegal orders.
The Kentucky lawmakers said Hegseth has "demonstrated that he will remain a threat to the Constitution if allowed to remain in office and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with his duties and the rule of law."
Hegseth was among the high-profile Trump supporters who actively campaigned against Massie and his ill-fated primary race against Ed Gahlrein in May.
While the push to oust the defense secretary is unlikely to gain traction with the GOP in control of both chambers of Congress, the introduction of the articles forces Republicans to take a highly-charged vote linked to an unpopular war ahead of the midterms.
The resolution requires a vote in the House this week, as the body is set to leave Washington for an extended recess that will end after the midterm elections in November.