US Republicans block efforts to impeach US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over Iran war

In a setback for US Democrats, House Republicans thwarted efforts on Tuesday to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in relation to the ongoing war in Iran. The House fell short of the necessary votes, with a 211-204 outcome, securing President Donald Trump's approval just weeks after his party's electoral meltdown. Democrats and several Republicans had aimed to vote on Wednesday, which would have led to formal charges against Hegseth.

Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie, a vocal critic of Trump, proposed the impeachment resolution, being the sole Republican to oppose it procedurally.

The Republican majority in the House will dissolve in January, when Democrats are anticipated to gain control of both chambers. President Trump rallied support for Hegseth on his social media platform, TRUTH Social, describing him as a "Great American Patriot" and exonerated. Hegseth dismissed the impeachment attempt as "a farce" and a "stunt," branding the accusations as "slander" and "sabotage."

During a Pentagon press conference, Hegseth affirmed, "It's a farce, and it's a stunt, and everybody knows it," condemning the allegations as "slander" and "sabotage." He also backed Trump's military operations in Iran and the broader war. Trump reaffirmed his backing through a TRUTH Social post, labeling Hegseth's performance an "A PLUS, PLUS, PLUS." Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate, JD Vance, echoed the sentiment, stating that Hegseth had "obviously not committed impeachable offences."

Massie's impeachment resolution consisted of eight articles accusing Hegseth, including allegations of waging the Iran war without congressional authorization, abuse of power, and extrajudicial killings. Massie also cited the 2025 conflict with Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and Hegseth's alleged suppression of free speech after punishing Democratic Senator Mark Kelly for urging military personnel to resist illegal orders.

Democrats will be able to retry impeachment proceedings once they assume control of Congress in January, while Massie will depart Congress after losing his Republican primary to a Trump-backed contender.