Effort to Impeach US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Blocked in House

In depth

The resolution to impeach US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was filed in the House of Representatives by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky. Massie submitted eight articles of impeachment, including claims that the war with Iran was conducted without congressional approval and that his powers were misused. Trump expressed support for Hegseth, saying: "He won two wars".

Hegseth attacked the initiative at a Pentagon briefing half a year ago, calling it a "farce" and "deliberate sabotage". According to him, "we did not start this war - Iran started it", and he added: "I would do it again tomorrow". According to him, the initiative signals weakness to the enemies of the United States.

The resolution was brought to a vote in the House, and the Republicans blocked its advancement: by a vote of 211 against and 204 in favor, it was referred to the Judiciary Committee, and was thereby shelved until the new Congress is sworn in in January, when a Democratic majority is expected. Trump welcomed the failure and wrote that Massie is a "big loser".