US House blocks impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in close vote

The United States House of Representatives has blocked an attempt to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over his handling of the war in Iran and other military operations. In a 211-204 vote on Nov. 10, lawmakers voted to send the impeachment resolution back to a House committee, effectively halting the effort for now, according to the Associated Press (AP). The vote was largely along party lines, with most Republican lawmakers voting to block the impeachment effort after US President Donald Trump expressed strong support for Hegseth. Although the Democrats won control of the House by winning a majority of seats in the November midterm elections, the new candidates have yet to be officially sworn in, which means the House is still Republican-controlled until January 2027. The impeachment effort was led by Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky and supported by Democrats. Eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth, accusing him of various abuses of power while in office, according to Reuters. One of the allegations concerned Hegseth's decision to launch military operations against Iran, despite the absence of an imminent threat and without congressional approval. According to AP, the articles also raised concerns about reductions in resources at a Pentagon office responsible for mitigating civilian harm. The reductions came before a US missile strike that killed up to 168 people at a primary school in Iran during the war. Other allegations concerned military operations in Yemen and Venezuela, strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats in Latin America, and Hegseth's attempt to punish Democratic Senator Mark Kelly over a video urging troops to resist unlawful orders. On X, Massie argued that US military operations in Iran had continued without congressional authorisation. "The law requires our military to withdraw from hostilities within 60 days if Congress does not authorise the activity," he said. IMPEACHMENT, Article III The law requires our military to withdraw from hostilities within 60 days if Congress does not authorize the activity. Operation Epic Fury has been underway for 256 days. Congress has not authorized it. Hegseth is breaking the law. Not even debatable. — Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) November 10, 2026 Hegseth dismisses impeachment effort During a Pentagon news briefing ahead of the House vote, Hegseth criticised the impeachment effort, arguing that it would embolden US adversaries, according to Reuters. He also defended the war in Iran. "History will judge the Iran war quite differently than the conventional wisdom right now," Hegseth said. He also rejected Massie's allegations, arguing that they amounted to policy disagreements rather than offences warranting impeachment. "This is not patriotism," Hegseth said, according to AP. "This is sabotage." Trump backs Hegseth Trump publicly defended Hegseth following the Pentagon briefing. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump praised Hegseth's defence against Massie's impeachment attempt. "Pete Hegseth gets an 'A' PLUS, PLUS, PLUS," Trump wrote. Trump's remarks followed the Nov. 3 midterm elections, which saw Democrats win control of Congress amid voter dissatisfaction with the Iran war, according to Reuters. Impeachment effort could return in 2027 Although the Nov. 10 vote halted the impeachment effort for now, another attempt could follow when Democrats take control of the House and Senate in January 2027, according to AP. AP reported that House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries supported the impeachment effort, accusing Hegseth of abusing his authority and undermining US national security. Democrats have also pledged to investigate Hegseth's management of the Pentagon, including his dismissal of senior military officers, if he remains in office next year, according to Reuters.