U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces a potentially historic political showdown this week as the House of Representatives prepares to consider impeachment charges accusing him of abusing his authority, including launching military action against Iran without an imminent threat or congressional approval.

Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing, while President Donald Trump has vowed to stand by his defense chief. But with eight articles of impeachment now on the table, the political battle is gathering momentum, raising questions about the limits of executive power and the consequences of military decisions made without congressional authorization.

Here is a breakdown of the impeachment process and what could happen next.

Pete Hegseth Impending House Impeachment: How the Process Works

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth on Monday, setting the stage for a potentially explosive confrontation in the House.

The U.S. Constitution allows impeachment for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." Although the Constitution does not explicitly define the latter category, historical precedent has generally included abuses of power and breaches of public trust.

A House Majority Could Decide Hegseth's Fate

Impeachment requires a simple majority in the 435-member House of Representatives.

Republican leaders are expected to attempt to stop the resolution before it reaches a full vote. They could pursue procedural maneuvers designed to effectively kill the measure without debate or send it to a committee for further investigation. Both options require a simple majority.

Republicans currently hold a narrow 218-214 majority in the House, leaving little room for defections.

If GOP leaders fail to block the resolution through procedural means, lawmakers could proceed to a vote on impeachment. However, a Senate trial could still be avoided or terminated before a conviction vote if a majority of senators agree to dismiss the charges.

Massie's resolution could gain enough support to pass the House if Democrats unite behind it. Conviction in the Senate, however, remains a considerably steeper climb and is widely viewed as unlikely.

The January 2027 Deadline Could Change Everything

The political clock is ticking.

Republicans will retain control of both chambers of Congress until noon Eastern time (1700 GMT) on Jan. 3, 2027, when Democrats are scheduled to take control of the House and Senate.

If Massie's resolution does not receive a vote on its merits by that date, it will expire.

Massie himself will not return to Congress next year after losing his primary election. As a result, another House member would have to introduce new articles of impeachment if the resolution expires.

But there is a crucial twist.

If the House votes to impeach Hegseth during the current Congress, Massie's resolution would not expire on Jan. 3. That could leave the door open for a Senate trial next year, when Democrats control both chambers of Congress.

In other words, a House vote this week could set the stage for a political confrontation that stretches well into 2027.

WHO HAS BEEN IMPEACHED BEFORE?

The Constitution provides that the president, vice president and "all civil Officers" of the United States can face impeachment. The phrase has historically been interpreted to include senior government officials and federal judges.

If Massie's effort succeeds, Hegseth would become only the third Cabinet secretary in U.S. history to be impeached.

Alejandro Mayorkas and William Belknap Faced Impeachment

In 2024, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was impeached over Democratic President Joe Biden's handling of the U.S.-Mexico border.

The Senate subsequently voted to dismiss the charges, preventing a trial from moving forward.

More than a century earlier, William Belknap, who served as secretary of war under President Ulysses S. Grant, was impeached in 1876 over corruption allegations. The impeachment came shortly after Belknap resigned from office.

Despite the accusations, the Senate ultimately acquitted him.

Donald Trump Was Impeached Twice

Trump's own impeachment history offers another reminder of how politically charged the process can become.

In December 2019, the House impeached Trump over allegations stemming from his efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden. The Senate acquitted him in February 2020.

The president faced impeachment again in 2021, this time accused of inciting an insurrection following the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters.

The Senate again voted to acquit Trump, with the final tally standing at 57-43. Seven Republicans joined Democrats in voting to convict, marking a significant break within the president's own party.

As the House prepares to consider the charges against Hegseth, the stakes extend beyond the defense secretary's political future. The outcome could test congressional oversight of military power and determine whether the impeachment battle becomes another defining chapter in America's increasingly polarized political landscape.