House Republicans block impeachment push against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

In brief

• House Republicans voted 211 to 204 to send an impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to committee, halting a planned floor vote.
• The resolution, brought by Republican Thomas Massie, accuses Hegseth of deploying forces in the Iran war without congressional authorisation.
• Hegseth called the effort a show trial, and Trump defended him; Democrats may try again when they take control of Congress next year.

A narrow procedural win

On Tuesday, local time, House Republicans voted 211 to 204 to refer an impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth back to the Judiciary Committee (US-Repräsentantenhaus lehnt Amtsenthebungsverfahren gegen Hegseth ab – tagesschau.de) (US-Verteidigungsminister: Amtsenthebung Hegseths im US-Repräsentantenhaus gestoppt – ZEIT ONLINE) (Pete Hegseth: Republikaner lehnen Amtsenthebungsantrag im Repräsentantenhaus ab – DER SPIEGEL). Republicans voted almost unanimously for the referral. Because the committee is chaired by Republicans, the measure is effectively stalled. A floor vote that had been scheduled for Wednesday is now off the table.

Origins of the challenge

The resolution was introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky and backed by Democrats. Massie argues that Hegseth should be removed over his conduct of the war with Iran. His central charge is that US forces were deployed without authorisation from Congress. Hegseth is also accused of abuse of power in that conflict (USA - Verteidigungsminister Hegseth nennt drohendes Amtsenthebungsverfahren eine Farce – Deutschlandfunk).

Pressure after the midterms

The push gained momentum after Republicans suffered losses in the midterm elections last week. Many in the party blamed the Iran war and the subsequent rise in petrol prices for the defeat (USA - Amtsenthebungsverfahren gegen Verteidigungsminister Hegseth scheitert im Repräsentantenhaus – Deutschlandfunk). Those tensions spilled into a broader debate over the administration's policy.

Hegseth and Trump respond

Hegseth rejected the accusations at a press conference, calling the proceedings a show trial. He said that pursuing the case amounted to sabotage rather than patriotism, and predicted the efforts to charge him would fail. President Donald Trump defended his defence secretary, claiming Hegseth had won two wars. Trump also attacked Massie, calling him a loser.

What comes next

The vote buys Hegseth time but does not end the matter. Democrats are set to take control of Congress after their midterm victories, which would give them the power to try again.

Read also

• Democrats Back Hegseth Impeachment as Massie Files Articles and House Vote Nears