US House blocks bid to impeach Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth
The US House of Representatives voted 211 to 204 to block an impeachment resolution against Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, referring it to a committee.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- The US House voted 211 to 204 to block the impeachment bid against Pete Hegseth.
- The resolution was introduced by dissident Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky.
- The effort accused Hegseth of waging war on Iran without congressional authorisation.
- President Donald Trump and Hegseth both sharply condemned the impeachment push.
The US House of Representatives has blocked an effort to impeach Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, voting to refer the articles of impeachment to a committee, which effectively halts the initiative for now. The push was introduced by dissident Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky.
The move to find the cabinet secretary guilty of misconduct and remove him from office was initially viewed as a long shot, as it would have required numerous Republicans to defy President Donald Trump. During Tuesday's vote, Massie stood as the sole Republican to vote against moving the resolution to the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The measure failed in a 211-204 vote, with more than a dozen members missing the session, including 11 Democrats. Sending the measure to the panel essentially kills the effort, given the limited time remaining in the current congressional term before Democrats assume control in January.
President Donald Trump celebrated the outcome on Truth Social, declaring that the effort had failed miserably. Meanwhile, Pete Hegseth dismissed the impeachment push during a press conference on Tuesday, calling it a political stunt by a defeated opponent.
"This is not patriotism. This is sabotage."
Pete Hegseth
In American politics, impeachment resolutions serve as a constitutional mechanism for accountability but are frequently utilized as strategic political maneuvers during congressional transitions. Directing such measures to committees near the end of a legislative term is a common procedural method to manage contentious political challenges before a new majority takes over.
Massie, who lost his re-election bid earlier this year to a Trump-backed challenger, has frequently criticized administration policies regarding Iran since February. Although Hegseth has survived politically for the moment, several lawmakers continue to question his long-term viability within the administration.
Source: BBC World
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