House Republicans block Hegseth impeachment effort as Democrats prepare to take control
The Republican-controlled US House of Representatives blocked an effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on November 10, shielding him from an immediate challenge over his handling of the war with Iran and other controversial military operations.
Lawmakers voted 211-204 to refer the impeachment resolution to the House Judiciary Committee, effectively halting the effort. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth, was the only Republican to join Democrats in opposing the move, CBS News reported.
The resolution accused Hegseth of launching the war against Iran without congressional authorization, violating laws intended to minimize civilian casualties, directing extrajudicial killings during US strikes on boats in the Caribbean, and overseeing the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. It also alleged retaliation against Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly.
Hegseth rejected the accusations, calling the impeachment effort a "farce" and a "political spectacle."
"None of these are high crimes or misdemeanors," he said, describing the allegations as partisan disagreements over military policy.
Although some Republicans have expressed frustration with the war in Iran, now in its ninth month, many did not believe Hegseth's conduct warranted impeachment.
Massie said he was disappointed but not surprised by the outcome and would not introduce another impeachment resolution. He is set to leave Congress in January after losing his Republican primary earlier this year.
President Donald Trump celebrated the failed effort on Truth Social, calling Massie a "major loser" and praising Hegseth's leadership.
The vote came a week after Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections. Democrats are expected to take over the House and Senate in January, potentially reopening scrutiny of Hegseth's conduct.
"This is not the end of it. It's just the beginning," House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said after the vote.
Massie also said he intended to force a separate vote on a war powers resolution, challenging lawmakers who have blamed the Iran war for their party's electoral defeat.