Rep. Thomas Massie, the Kentucky Republican leading an impeachment push against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, said Monday that he believes Hegseth is unlikely to remain in office by the start of the new year. Speaking with CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins on “The Source,” Massie described a “high probability” that the Pentagon chief would not reach the end of the year in his post.
The remark places renewed attention on turmoil surrounding leadership at the Department of Defense, one of the federal government’s most consequential agencies. Hegseth’s position carries responsibility for the armed forces, defense policy and military operations, making any challenge to his tenure a matter with implications beyond partisan debate in Washington.
Massie, who represents Kentucky in the House, has taken the unusual step of pursuing impeachment against a sitting defense secretary. Impeachment of Cabinet officials is rare in American political life, and the process begins in the House before any possible trial in the Senate. Massie’s public comments signal that his effort is not limited to a procedural challenge but is tied to a broader expectation that Hegseth’s hold on the role may weaken before the year closes.
The statement also underscores divisions within the Republican ranks over Hegseth’s future. While Massie is a member of the same party, his comments show that criticism of the defense secretary is not confined to Democrats. In a closely watched political environment, internal Republican dissent can carry particular weight, especially when directed at a senior official responsible for national security and military readiness.
Hegseth remains the United States defense secretary, and Massie’s prediction does not in itself change his official status. But the public nature of the interview gives the impeachment effort added visibility and ensures that questions about Hegseth’s tenure will remain part of the political conversation in Congress. For the Pentagon, the issue is not only personal leadership but the continuity of civilian oversight at a time when defense policy remains central to federal decision-making.
