Massie's push to impeach Hegseth splits constituents in his own backyard: 'Pure spite'

Massie introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth, alleging he violated the Constitution by waging war in Iran without congressional authorization.

The House Republican leadership voted to refer the articles to committee, a move that added another confrontation to Massie's long-running disagreements with President Donald Trump and his party's leadership.

The impeachment effort centers on the president's decision to authorize military action in Iran, a move Massie contends bypasses the constitutional requirement for Congress to declare war.

Massie's electoral defeat in the Kentucky primary earlier this year, to Trump-endorsed Republican Ed Gallrein, has further complicated his standing with constituents.

The congressman's district includes Covington, Newport, Erlanger, and other communities across the river from Cincinnati.

Constituents divided on impeachment

Residents in Massie's district offered sharply different reactions to his impeachment push, with some praising his independence and others calling it pure spite.

Richard Hassebrock, a Covington resident, welcomed the impeachment effort, saying Massie stands up for what he believes in.

Hassebrock said he was disappointed by Massie's electoral defeat and praised the congressman's principles, which he said are unlike "99% of the other congress people out there."

Craig Cuskey, who works in the Covington area but lives just outside the district in Louisville, described the impeachment push as "pure spite" and "petty," saying his opinion of the congressman had deteriorated.

Rilla, a Fort Wright resident, offered a more complicated assessment, saying she thought Massie was just trying to get back at Trump.

She added that she had been proud of Massie for standing up to the president and was disappointed by his defeat.

War powers and political strategy

The impeachment effort has also sparked debate about the war powers of the president and the role of Congress in authorizing military action.

Rilla said she opposed the Iran war, particularly the prospect of military action without congressional involvement.

She said, "I don't think anyone should just go in and declare war without Congress being a part of it."

Phil Wiseman, an Independence resident, said he doubted the impeachment effort would accomplish much, even as he questioned the administration's military strategy.

Wiseman, who identifies as a "RINO" and voted for an independent in the primary, said his family had discussed Hegseth, noting that his father was a 27-year military veteran and his son served in the Marine Corps.

He said, "Who is advising him? Because this [war] is very ill-thought-out and not well-planned."

Wiseman compared that aspect of the Iran conflict to how the U.S. previously became mired in Afghanistan.

He said, "So I seriously question the military advisors that are giving them this advice, or maybe they gave them contrary advice and it was ignored."

Next steps for impeachment

Democrats poised to take the gavel in January signaled they will likely take up Massie's mantle and seek the Pentagon chief's impeachment.

The House voted to refer Massie's impeachment effort against Hegseth to committee, a procedural step that will determine the next course of action.

The impeachment process will now move to a committee, where the articles will be reviewed and debated.

The outcome of that process will be closely watched by constituents and political observers alike.