Washington is buzzing after Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, moved to force a House vote on impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. His resolution carries eight articles of impeachment, accusing Hegseth of violating the War Powers Resolution and of other misconduct tied to the Iran conflict. The forced vote could reach the House floor as soon as this week, though the House could also try to table it. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has said he will vote yes, and impeachment in the House needs only a simple majority. That means all Democrats plus a handful of Republican defectors could be enough, and two Republicans reportedly told one outlet they expect it to succeed.

Not everyone is buying it. Rep. Tim Burchett told Fox News that impeachment is for criminal activity and asked, "What did he do?", adding that Hegseth was following the president's orders. President Trump has also said he intends to keep Hegseth in his post, so any exit would be forced rather than voluntary. Even a successful House vote would be mostly symbolic, because removal requires 67 votes in the Senate, a bar widely seen as out of reach. Hegseth's own camp reportedly doesn't expect a Senate trial before Congress adjourns, and expects Democrats to try again in the new Congress. The big question now is how many Republicans will actually break ranks.