US Republicans derail push to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

On Tuesday, US House Republicans successfully thwarted an impeachment bid against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, providing a boost to President Donald Trump amid his administration's struggles following the recent midterm elections. Trump hailed the outcome on social media, labeling Hegseth a "Great American Patriot" and deeming the impeachment attempt a "miserable FAILURE!"

Hegseth has been under mounting political scrutiny over his role in the Iran conflict. This week, Republican Congressman Thomas Massie introduced a resolution to impeach Hegseth in a move likely aimed at securing a vote before the new Congress convenes in January. Massie, a vocal Trump critic, claims the defense chief waged the war illegally and without proper congressional approval.

Hegseth responded to the impeachment efforts by branding them as "slanders" and "stunts," calling them a "farce" in a Pentagon press conference. The House of Representatives subsequently voted 211-204 to forward the impeachment effort to the Republican-controlled House Judiciary Committee for further examination. Massie had anticipated that the referral would ultimately scuttle his impeachment bid.

Following the vote, Massie likened his Republican colleagues in the departing Congress to passengers clinging to the Titanic, asserting they knew the ship was sinking but remained committed to staying on board. While Hegseth seems shielded from Massie's impeachment drive for now, he is likely to face renewed criticism and, possibly, another impeachment attempt once Democrats gain control of both the House and Senate in the upcoming election year.