WASHINGTON – The US House of Representatives has rejected an attempt to impeach Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, defeating the resolution by 211 votes to 204.
The impeachment resolution was introduced by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, who accused Hegseth of bypassing Congress and unlawfully exercising military authority in connection with the US military campaign against Iran.
Massie argued that the administration’s military actions against Iran were illegal and that Hegseth had violated the US Constitution by using his office to authorise military operations without proper congressional oversight.
The defence secretary also faced allegations over a US strike on a school in Minab, Iran, which reportedly killed children and other civilians. The resolution cited these allegations as part of its case against Hegseth, accusing him of constitutional violations and abuse of office.
The measure failed after Republicans largely rallied behind the defence secretary, with Massie reportedly the only Republican to oppose him.
Following the vote, President Donald Trump welcomed the outcome, describing the impeachment effort as a major failure.
Trump said that every Republican except Massie had supported Hegseth. He also praised the administration’s claimed achievements in Venezuela and Iran, as well as increased military recruitment.
The president accused Democrats of acting against American interests and said the House had cleared Hegseth by rejecting the impeachment resolution.
Before the vote, Hegseth had dismissed the impeachment effort, calling it a political spectacle that would have no impact on him. He also described the move as an attempt to undermine US military personnel.
Hegseth maintained that military operations were legally justified, adding that no defence secretary in US history had been removed from office during an ongoing military operation.
