WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 28, 2026) — Free Speech For People today endorsed Representative Thomas Massie’s eight articles of impeachment against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and urged House members to vote to impeach him. Massie has invoked House Rule IX, which will force a House floor vote on the articles when the House returns from its recess following the November 3, 2026 election.

Free Speech For People is joined by the Removal Coalition, FLARE USA, and Bruce Fein, constitutional scholar and former associate deputy attorney general under President Ronald Reagan.  The organizations’ endorsement centers on Hegseth’s defiance of Congress’s war powers and use of Pentagon authority to punish protected speech. 

Massie, a Kentucky Republican, introduced the articles on September 15, citing the following high crimes and misdemeanors:

• Unconstitutionally usurping Congress’s powers to declare war, coordinating and assisting with attacks on Iran and Yemen without congressional authorization;
• Refusing to withdraw U.S. forces from Iran after Congress directed their removal;
• Continuing to illegally wage war in Iran beyond statutory deadlines laid out in the War Powers Resolution of 1973;
• Committing war and humanitarian crimes, including ignoring laws to minimize civilian casualties and intentionally killing shipwreck survivors in the Caribbean;
• Abusing his power by intimidating Sen. Mark Kelly for practicing his right to free speech; and
• Directing the unauthorized kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro—a sovereign foreign leader—and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Free Speech For People is urging lawmakers to support Massie’s articles regardless of party. Hegseth has committed multiple abuses of power and must be impeached and removed from public office. 

Free Speech For People is a national nonpartisan nonprofit organization working to defend our democracy, uphold the Constitution, and guarantee every person has an equal voice and an equal vote. Founded on the day of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling in January 2010, Free Speech For People, through its legal work and advocacy, fights to protect voting rights and election security, challenges big money dominance in elections, confronts government corruption, and seeks to ensure people can participate equally and meaningfully in our democracy. To learn more, please visit www.freespeechforpeople.org.

The Removal Coalition is the grassroots force behind the Remove the Regime movement and the historic protest of Active Duty Air Force Major Jason Watson.  For over a year, the Removal Coalition’s laser-focused protests and nationwide lobbying efforts have delivered an unwavering mandate to Congress: “Impeach. Convict. Remove.”  Founded by Jessica Denson, the coalition exists to give teeth to resistance activism, and is now behind three forced votes on impeachment of Donald Trump that have gained record support each time.  For more information, visit www.removetheregime.com. 

FLARE is the third longest-running protest occupation in American history, with a 24/7 protest encampment on the National Mall since May 1, 2025. In addition to its ongoing protest, the organization has led thousands of constituents from across the country into Congress to lobby for Trump’s removal, delivered tens of thousands of signed constituent letters demanding the same, and organized multiple National Days of In-District Lobbying, connecting constituents with their representatives outside of Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.flareusa.org.