US House Blocks Impeachment Bid Against Defence Secretary Hegseth
The US House of Representatives voted 211-204 to dismiss impeachment articles against Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over his war actions.
WASHINGTON, D.C, Nov 11: The US House of Representatives voted 211 to 204 on November 10 to block an impeachment effort against Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was accused of unlawfully engaging in military operations in Iran without congressional approval.
The impeachment motion, led by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, sought to hold Hegseth accountable for multiple alleged constitutional violations, including unauthorized military actions abroad. However, the resolution was referred to the House Judiciary Committee, effectively derailing the impeachment push.
Massie was the only Republican to oppose sending the impeachment articles to committee, with all Democrats voting against it. The vote follows significant losses for Republicans in the midterm elections and reflects the party’s hesitance to confront former President Donald Trump, who continues to support Hegseth.
In a news briefing at the Pentagon, Hegseth dismissed the impeachment efforts as a “farce” and a “political stunt,” asserting that the accusations were motivated by political differences rather than legitimate legal grievances. He emphasized that the impeachment articles endangered national security by suggesting that the US would penalize its leaders for conducting military operations.
The impeachment resolution detailed eight alleged violations by Hegseth, including overseeing operations that resulted in civilian casualties in Iran and making unauthorized strikes in Venezuela and Yemen. It also criticized him for retaliatory actions against a Democratic senator for publicly opposing him.
Following the vote, Trump celebrated the outcome on Truth Social, calling it a victory and referring to Hegseth as a “Great American Patriot.” He stated, “The Democrats continue to weaponize and abuse the United States of America” in response to the impeachment attempt.
The Republican majority successfully blocked the impeachment effort, but the political situation could shift in the coming months. Democrats are set to take control of both chambers of Congress in January, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has expressed strong support for revisiting the impeachment articles against Hegseth.
Critics, including some Republicans, have raised concerns about Hegseth’s ability to remain in his position given the ongoing controversies surrounding his actions. Texas Senator Ted Cruz predicted that Hegseth may either resign or be dismissed by Trump as pressures mount from both within and outside the party.
Sources
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.