Massie’s effort to impeach Hegseth draws divided reactions in northern Kentucky

Rep. Thomas Massie’s attempt to impeach Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth over the Iran war has divided residents in northern Kentucky, with some applauding his willingness to challenge the administration and others questioning his motives. Interviews conducted by Fox News Digital in Covington, Newport, Erlanger and nearby communities revealed mixed views of both the outgoing Republican congressman and the war.

House Republicans voted to send Massie’s impeachment effort to committee, continuing his longstanding clashes with President Donald Trump and Republican leaders. Democrats preparing to take control in January have indicated they are likely to pursue the matter. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York has expressed support for impeaching Hegseth.

Covington resident Richard Hassebrock supported the effort despite having disagreed with Massie on other issues. He told Fox News Digital he regretted the congressman’s electoral defeat and admired his independence and willingness to defend his beliefs. Craig Cuskey, who works around Covington but lives outside the district in Louisville, took the opposite view, describing the impeachment effort as “pure spite” and “petty.”

Rilla, a Fort Wright resident who gave only her first name, saw elements of both principle and retaliation in Massie’s actions. She said she believed he was trying to get back at Trump, but also said she had been proud of his willingness to oppose the president and was disappointed he lost. She opposed the Iran war, particularly military action undertaken without Congress participating in the decision.

Phil Wiseman of Independence questioned whether impeachment would achieve much while also expressing concern about the administration’s strategy. “I don't see a definable outcome,” he told Fox News Digital. Wiseman said he voted for an independent rather than Rep.-elect Ed Gallrein, the Trump-backed Republican who defeated Massie in the Kentucky primary earlier this year.

Wiseman said discussions about Hegseth within his family drew on military experience: his father was a 27-year military veteran, and his son served in the Marine Corps. He questioned the planning behind the Iran war and the advice reaching administration officials, comparing the situation with America’s earlier entanglement in Afghanistan. He also raised the possibility that officials had disregarded advice against their approach.

Another Covington resident, Anthony Tuemler, favored impeachment and accused Hegseth of violating the Constitution in his handling of the war. His view of Massie was more complicated. Although pleased that the congressman was leaving office, Tuemler credited him with speaking up when he believed something needed to be said.

Randall Thompson of Newport defended Hegseth while walking with his children near Covington’s Mainstrasse Village corridor in military uniform for Veterans Day. Thompson said off-camera that he and Hegseth had served in the same area of Iraq. Cuskey also supported Hegseth, saying his initial doubts about the nomination had given way to a favorable assessment of his performance carrying out the commander in chief’s instructions.

The dispute could become part of a wider congressional confrontation with the administration. Some lawmakers are considering investigations and possible impeachment proceedings involving Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and border czar Tom Homan.