US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth faces an impeachment challenge led by Thomas Massie.
Lawmakers voted 211-204 to send Thomas Massie’s resolution to the House Judiciary Committee, stalling his bid to remove the defence secretary.
The US House of Representatives has halted a Hegseth impeachment bid over allegations of war against Iran without congressional authorisation. Lawmakers voted 211-204 on Tuesday to refer the resolution to the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee.
Republican congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky introduced the articles against Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. However, he was the only Republican to oppose sending the measure to the committee.
More than a dozen House members missed the vote, including 11 Democrats. The referral effectively ends the effort for now, with little time remaining before Democrats take control in January.
Massie’s attempt to remove the defence secretary faced steep political odds from the outset. Success could have required several other Republicans to break with President Donald Trump.
Trump welcomes Hegseth impeachment vote outcome
Meanwhile, Hegseth dismissed the impeachment effort as an attempt at sabotage during a Pentagon news briefing. It was his first briefing there in six months.
Trump also celebrated the result in a Truth Social post, portraying the vote as vindication for his defence secretary. He praised Hegseth while citing what he described as military victories in Venezuela and Iran.
The president further pointed to recruitment figures and military morale as reasons to support Hegseth.
Massie, however, had already acknowledged that his initiative might not succeed immediately. He argued it could still pressure Trump to replace Hegseth before Democrats launch an impeachment process of their own.
