OMM Newsroom
Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives blocked an effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, including over his handling of military operations during the ongoing war with Iran. The move postponed a potential showdown until Democrats take control of Congress in January.
According to AnewZ, the House voted 211-204 on Tuesday to refer eight articles of impeachment to the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee. The decision halted the process for now.
The impeachment effort was initiated by Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky. He accused Hegseth of unlawfully ordering military operations in Iran and Yemen, striking vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean, and taking part in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January.
Massie had hoped to win support from Republicans dissatisfied with Hegseth’s policies and concerned about growing public opposition to the eight-month war with Iran. However, no other Republican joined him. A spokesperson for former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she had returned to San Francisco for an annual veterans’ event but would have voted against the procedural motion.
Eleven Democrats, including Pelosi, did not vote. If eight more Democrats had voted against the procedural motion, it could have failed, potentially allowing a full vote on impeachment.
Trump defends Hegseth
President Donald Trump welcomed the outcome of the vote, writing on social media that the impeachment effort had “tragically failed.”
Trump praised Hegseth’s handling of military operations in Iran and Venezuela, calling the outcome “an exoneration of a great American patriot.”
Hegseth spoke to reporters at the Pentagon on Tuesday, November 10, rejecting the impeachment effort and defending his record as head of the U.S. military.
“History will judge the Iran war very differently from the general consensus today,” he said at his first Pentagon briefing in six months. Hegseth defended the legality of his military orders and said Iranian armed forces had suffered significant losses during the conflict.
Vice President J.D. Vance also defended Hegseth, despite previously questioning the war and linking it to potential Republican losses in the midterm elections. “This is not about Iran. This is about Pete fighting the bureaucracy at the Pentagon,” Vance wrote on social media.
Iran war raises political tensions
The impeachment effort came amid growing political pressure over the military campaign against Iran, launched by the United States and Israel eight months ago without congressional authorization. The conflict has effectively reached a stalemate, while efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz remain a major concern.
Discontent over the war reportedly contributed to Democratic gains in last week’s midterm elections. The party will take control of Congress when newly elected lawmakers take office in January. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on November 10, most Americans want the new, Democratic-majority Congress to take steps to end the conflict.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries sharply criticized Hegseth’s leadership, accusing him of abusing his authority and undermining national security.
“Pete Hegseth has abused his authority, undermined America’s national security, and is the architect of a reckless, irresponsible and costly failed war in Iran,” Jeffries said on Monday.
Democrats may renew impeachment effort
Although Tuesday’s vote blocked the impeachment process from advancing, Democrats could launch a new effort after taking control of Congress in January. Jeffries said he would discuss the possibility with colleagues at an appropriate time.
A Democratic-led investigation could hear testimony from senior military officers, including generals and admirals, whom Hegseth dismissed during his time in office.
Lawmakers could also investigate the Pentagon’s policy on Ukraine, military strikes against vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Pacific, and Hegseth’s dismissal of senior military leaders.
The disputes come as the Trump administration seeks to increase the U.S. military budget from about $950 billion to $1.5 trillion. The proposal requires congressional support. Some Republicans have expressed concern that Hegseth’s strained relations with lawmakers could make it harder to secure additional funding.
Hegseth could have become the first U.S. defense secretary to face impeachment. The last impeachment of a civilian head of the U.S. military took place in 1876, when Congress began proceedings involving Secretary of War William Belknap.
After the vote, Massie said he was disappointed in his Republican colleagues, comparing their support for Hegseth to staying aboard a sinking ship.
“They know the ship is sinking, but they are determined to stay on board,” Massie said.
