House blocks Massie's impeachment push against Hegseth

The House voted 211 to 204 on Tuesday to refer a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Judiciary Committee, effectively killing the effort led by GOP Rep. Thomas Massie. Massie was the lone Republican to join all Democrats in opposing the referral. The resolution accused Hegseth of abusing his office by launching the war with Iran without congressional approval, directing extrajudicial killings, and retaliating against Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, among other allegations. Republicans expressed frustration with Hegseth's handling of the nine-month conflict but did not view his conduct as meeting the impeachment threshold. Hegseth denounced the effort as a "farce" and "political spectacle," arguing the allegations were partisan policy disagreements rather than high crimes. Massie, who is retiring in January, said he would not pursue another impeachment resolution, though Democrats could revisit the issue when they take control of Congress.