House blocks impeachment bid against Hegseth

The US House of Representatives voted Tuesday against initiating impeachment proceedings against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, with the Republican majority referring the motion to a committee instead of debating it. The move spares Hegseth and President Donald Trump from an immediate challenge. Republican Representative Thomas Massie, who filed the impeachment resolution, stood alone within his party. Massie accuses Hegseth of advancing war against Iran without congressional approval and ordering war crimes, allegations the White House strongly denies. Massie, a vocal opponent of the Iran war and Trump, filed the motion after Republican losses in the midterm elections. Democrats gain a House majority in January, but impeachment requires a two-thirds Senate vote, meaning Republican support remains crucial.