In a significant political development, an attempt to impeach US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is accused of waging war in Iran without congressional authorization, has been blocked on Capitol Hill. The House of Representatives voted against the impeachment articles, effectively referring them to a committee, thereby ending the effort for now. The move was led by dissident Republican congressman Thomas Massie from Kentucky, who argued that this could help push President Donald Trump to replace Hegseth before Democrats can launch their own impeachment process. However, impeachment resolutions can be carried over past the end of a congressional term, meaning Democrats can revisit the issue next year when they will control both chambers of Congress following a successful midterm election.
In his first news briefing from the Pentagon in six months, Hegseth called the impeachment effort a "farce" and "sabotage." He argued that it endangered national security by communicating to US adversaries that the United States would punish its own warriors for successfully executing lawful military operations. President Trump celebrated the vote on Truth Social, calling it a victory for Hegseth, who he described as a "Great American Patriot."
Massie's resolution was opposed by many lawmakers, including some Republicans, who have questioned how long Hegseth can last in the administration. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican, predicted that Hegseth would resign or be fired by Trump. The impeachment articles accused Hegseth of overseeing "extrajudicial killings" in the US campaign against boats alleged to be carrying drugs in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Massie, who lost re-election earlier this year to a Trump-backed opponent, has been critical of Trump and the war in Iran since it began in February.
In a closely watched vote on Capitol Hill, an effort to impeach US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has failed, at least for now. The House of Representatives agreed to refer the impeachment articles against Hegseth to a committee, effectively ending the effort led by dissident Republican congressman Thomas Massie from Kentucky. The move came after more than a dozen members, including 11 Democrats, missed the vote. Impeachment resolutions can be carried past the end of a congressional term, meaning Democrats could revisit the issue next year when they will control both chambers of Congress following a successful midterm election.
Hegseth called the impeachment effort a "farce" and "sabotage," arguing that it endangered national security by communicating to US adversaries that the United States would punish its own warriors for successfully executing lawful military operations. President Trump celebrated the vote on Truth Social, calling it a victory for Hegseth, who he described as a "Great American Patriot."
The impeachment articles accused Hegseth of overseeing "extrajudicial killings" in the US campaign against boats alleged to be carrying drugs in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Massie's resolution was opposed by many lawmakers, including some Republicans, who have questioned how long Hegseth can last in the administration. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican, predicted that Hegseth would resign or be fired by Trump.
In a significant political development, an attempt to impeach US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has failed on Capitol Hill. The House of Representatives agreed to refer the impeachment articles against Hegseth to a committee, effectively ending the effort led by dissident Republican congressman Thomas Massie from Kentucky for now. However, impeachment resolutions can be carried past the end of a congressional term, meaning Democrats could revisit the issue next year when they will control both chambers of Congress following a successful midterm election.
Hegseth called the impeachment effort a "farce" and "sabotage," arguing that it endangered national security by communicating to US adversaries that the United States would punish its own warriors for successfully executing lawful military operations. President Trump celebrated the vote on Truth Social, calling it a victory for Hegseth, who he described as a "Great American Patriot."
The impeachment articles accused Hegseth of overseeing "extrajudicial killings" in the US campaign against boats alleged to be carrying drugs in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Massie's resolution was opposed by many lawmakers, including some Republicans, who have questioned how long Hegseth can last in the administration. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican, predicted that Hegseth would resign or be fired by Trump. The failure of the impeachment attempt raises questions about the future of Hegseth's tenure as Defense Secretary and whether Democrats will try again next year.