Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) did not clue Republican leaders in on his plans to introduce an impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the Iran war, Axios’ Kate Santaliz reported.

The big picture: Lame-duck Republicans who lost Trump-backed primary challenges are increasingly using their final months in office to buck the administration and GOP leaders.

Catch up quick: Massie introduced the eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth on Tuesday in his boldest act of defiance since he began his effort to curb the administration’s war powers.

• The resolution has dim hopes of passing in the Republican-controlled House.
• Because the resolution is privileged, Speaker Mike Johnson had two legislative days to act on it. But on Wednesday morning he canceled Thursday votes, effectively pushing consideration of Massie’s impeachment effort until after the midterms.

Zoom out: Massie kept his plan under wraps because leadership canceled legislative days after learning about his latest Epstein discharge petition. He feared a similar outcome with this effort.

What they’re saying: “I didn’t want to show it to anybody,” Massie told CNN’s Kaitlin Collins Tuesday night.

• “I was afraid that they would do something to subvert me getting on the floor for an hour and 20 minutes and reading these articles.”

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https://www.axios.com/2026/09/16/hegseth-massie-impeachment-house