'I didn't want to show it to anybody': Thomas Massie's secret Hegseth impeachment move

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep Thomas Massie said he kept his Pete Hegseth impeachment plan hidden from GOP leaders because he feared they would block his attempt to bring the resolution to the House floor.

The Kentucky Republican introduced eight articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the Iran war on Tuesday in the Republican-controlled House.

Massie made the disclosure to CNN's Kaitlin Collins on Tuesday night, September 15, after introducing the resolution, explaining why he kept the plan private.

Thomas Massie feared GOP leaders would subvert his effort

“I didn't want to show it to anybody,” Massie told Collins, saying he feared Republican leaders would “do something to subvert me getting on the floor for an hour and 20 minutes and reading these articles.”

His concern came after House leadership canceled legislative days when it learned about his latest Epstein discharge petition, according to Axios.

Massie said he feared the same could happen with his impeachment effort.

The resolution has little chance of passing in the Republican-controlled House, the outlet stated.

Because it is privileged, Speaker Mike Johnson had two legislative days to act on it, but Johnson canceled Thursday's votes Wednesday morning, effectively pushing consideration of Massie's impeachment effort until after the midterms, the outlet stated.

Pete Hegseth urged Kentucky Republicans to oust Thomas Massie

Hegseth has publicly targeted Massie, telling supporters at a May campaign event for former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein that Kentucky Republicans should vote Massie out in the primary.

“President Trump does not need more people in Washington who are trying to make a point, especially from his own party,” Hegseth said. “He needs people willing to help him win, to vote with him when it matters the most.”

Hegseth said he attended the Hebron, Kentucky, event as a private citizen. 

He has also said Massie should be removed because Trump needs Republicans who will support his agenda.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked Massie over his opposition to major administration priorities, including the Big, Beautiful Bill.

Trump has repeatedly called for Massie to be ousted

During a May visit to the Capitol, Trump called Massie “a grandstander” while criticizing his concerns that the president's legislative agenda would add to the deficit.

“I don't think Thomas Massie understands government. I think he's a grandstander, frankly,” Trump said. 

He added, “I think he should be voted out of office.”

Trump had already called for Massie's removal in March 2025 after Massie refused to support a Republican government funding bill.

In a Truth Social post, Trump called him an automatic “NO” vote and said Massie “SHOULD BE PRIMARIED.”

Massie has previously said he was not afraid of another Trump-backed challenger, writing that three such challengers had failed to reach 25% in Republican primaries.

He said his constituents preferred “transparency and principles over blind allegiance.”

Trump also criticized Massie for repeatedly voting against legislation, saying, “If you ask him a couple of questions, he never gives you an answer. He just says I’m a no.” 

He added, “He thinks he’s going to get publicity.”