David Manney says Massie picked a real constitutional fight but the wrong target
Conservative opinion columnist writing for PJ Media
“Massie deserves credit for forcing Congress to confront a question too many lawmakers would rather leave blurry. America shouldn't drift into permanent war simply because presidents of either party find congressional approval inconvenient. But a serious constitutional dispute deserves the correct opponent. Massie found the fight. But like an idiot, he aimed at the wrong man.”
Source and context
Analysis
About this source
Opinion column timestamped 5:12 PM ET on September 15, 2026, hours after Massie read the articles on the House floor.
Before the quotation
Manney set out the administration's position that the June concurrent resolution lacked the force of law under INS v. Chadha and that Article II authority covers defending American forces, then turned to Massie's choice of target.
After the quotation
He argued that Congress should instead pass binding legislation, restrict funding, or force a veto and override it, and said impeaching Hegseth offers a more convenient defendant than those politically painful steps.
How this statement is classified
Case context: Should Pete Hegseth be impeached?
The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is whether Hegseth should be impeached for the conduct in Massie's articles. Manney opposes this impeachment while explicitly declining to excuse Hegseth, writing that cabinet officers can be impeached and that following an unlawful order does not erase personal responsibility. He also endorses the underlying grievance. That mix of opposing the remedy without defending the conduct is why this is not labelled a defense.
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Should Pete Hegseth be impeached?
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Read the full caseFree Speech For People
“In supporting Trump’s constitutional violations and actively participating in, or even initiating, the actions noted above, Hegseth has failed to faithfully discharge the duties of his office. Further, Hegseth participated in multiple unauthorized, unsecured communications on Signal with individuals who are not government employees, jeopardizing national security and demonstrating a dangerous lack of judgment. He must be held accountable for his actions.”Read statement
MoveOn
“Hegseth has shown he cannot be trusted with the power of this office and this position. Impeachment and aggressive oversight are necessary steps to stop further abuses.”Read statement
Win Without War
“Hegseth is making people less safe — and it’s time for him to go.”Read statement