House blocks Hegseth impeachment bid in early vote

A Republican-led effort to impeach US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was halted in its early stages in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The move by Republican Thomas Massie failed to gain the necessary majority. The House voted 211 to 204 to refer the impeachment resolution to a committee, preventing a direct vote on the allegations against Hegseth. Massie accused Hegseth of sending forces into combat against Iran without congressional authorization and of violating laws on minimizing civilian casualties. President Donald Trump celebrated the outcome, calling the attempt a "miserable failure" on Truth Social. Hegseth dismissed the proceedings as a "farce." Newly elected lawmakers from the November midterms, where Democrats won majorities, will take office in January and could revisit the matter.