House blocks Hegseth impeachment effort

The Republican-led House voted on Tuesday to send eight articles of impeachment to the Judiciary Committee, a procedural move that effectively halts the removal of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This action gives the Pentagon chief additional time before Democrats assume control of Congress in the coming year. They may then attempt to launch a new impeachment effort. The vote occurred just hours after Hegseth delivered a strong defense of his tenure.

Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky sponsored the initial impeachment push. He is an outgoing member who hoped to secure support from Republicans concerned about Hegseth's policies. Massie warned that referring the articles to the Judiciary Committee would kill the current attempt. He sought votes from members wary of the unpopularity surrounding the ongoing conflict in Iran.

Democrats voiced strong support for removing Hegseth. They worked to help Massie clear the path for a full impeachment vote. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized Hegseth on Monday, stating that he abused his power and undermined national security. Jeffries called the Iran campaign a reckless and costly failure.

Hegseth defended the war effort, describing President Trump as courageous. He claimed that Iran's military infrastructure is now in ruins. Hegseth maintained that his orders to US forces were lawful. He addressed accusations of high crimes and misdemeanors, which ranged from the war itself to a US military raid in January intended to depose Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Hegseth refers to himself as secretary of war, a title he adopted to rebrand the military department. He argued the institution was too weak and woke when he took office last year. However, President Trump cannot change the official name of the Defense Department without approval from Congress.

President Trump publicly backed Hegseth following the Pentagon briefing. He posted on Truth Social that Hegseth received an A plus for his defense against Massie. Trump described Massie as a disgruntled and defeated former congressman who is a total loser.

Hegseth would become the first US defense secretary to face impeachment if the process proceeds. The last civilian leader of the US military to be impeached was William Belknap in 1876. Belknap held the title of secretary of war at the time. The current dispute follows Democratic wins in last week's midterm elections. Voter anger over the Iran war, which has settled into a stalemate focused on the Strait of Hormuz, contributed to those results.