Lawmakers voted to refer impeachment articles to a committee, effectively halting the bid against the Pentagon chief for now.
The US House of Representatives voted 211-204 on Tuesday to refer impeachment articles against Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to a committee. According to BBC News, this procedural move effectively ends the current effort introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky.
Massie, the sole Republican to vote against the referral, had introduced eight articles of impeachment. The charges included accusing Hegseth of waging war in Iran and Yemen without congressional authorisation, violating the War Powers Act, and overseeing extrajudicial killings during operations against suspected drug traffickers.
Hegseth dismissed the proceedings as a political stunt during a news briefing at the Pentagon. He argued that the resolution sends a message to adversaries that the United States punishes its own leadership for lawful military operations.
President Donald Trump celebrated the outcome on Truth Social, calling Massie a "major LOSER" and describing the vote as an exoneration of Hegseth. Trump also cited military recruitment numbers and victories in Venezuela and Iran as part of the defence.
The reprieve for Hegseth is considered temporary as the current congressional term ends. Following midterm elections, Democrats are set to take control of both chambers of Congress in January.
The incoming Democratic majority, led by Hakeem Jeffries, could revive the impeachment process next year. Texas Senator Ted Cruz noted he expected Hegseth to eventually resign or be fired by the President.
