US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has survived an impeachment attempt after Republicans in the House of Representatives blocked the effort on Tuesday. The procedural vote gives the polarising Pentagon chief more time in office before Democrats take control of Congress next year.
The chamber voted 211 to 204 in favour of referring eight articles of impeachment to the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee. This move effectively sidelines the push for now. The effort was led by outgoing Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massie, who had hoped to attract support from colleagues unhappy with Hegseth’s policies and the ongoing Iran conflict. No other Republicans joined him, while 11 Democrats were absent from the vote.
President Donald Trump quickly praised the outcome on social media, declaring that the impeachment bid “has miserably FAILED.” He described Hegseth as a “Great American Patriot” and credited his handling of issues related to Iran and Venezuela for what he called an “EXONERATION.”
Just hours before the vote, Hegseth held a rare Pentagon briefing where he strongly defended his record. He dismissed the impeachment effort as a farce and stood by his decisions, particularly regarding the Iran war. The defence secretary argued that history would judge the conflict more favourably than current public opinion suggests. He also insisted that all orders given to US forces were lawful.
The Iran war has become a major political issue. Voter frustration over the conflict, which has settled into a stalemate focused on the Strait of Hormuz, contributed to Democrats winning control of Congress in the recent midterm elections. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries had criticised Hegseth sharply, accusing him of undermining national security and leading a costly failed war.
Massie expressed disappointment after the vote, comparing fellow Republicans to passengers staying on a sinking ship. Hegseth would have been the first defence secretary in modern history to face impeachment if the effort had succeeded. The last time a civilian military leader was impeached was in 1876.
The blocked vote provides Hegseth with breathing room, but Democrats may revive the issue once they take control of the House. For now, the defence secretary retains the strong backing of President Trump as he continues in the role.
