House Republicans block Hegseth impeachment effort over Iran war

Republicans in the US House of Representatives blocked an effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the war against Iran, voting 211 to 204 on Tuesday to refer the resolution to the Republican-controlled Judiciary Committee. The move effectively killed the impeachment push led by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who was the sole Republican voting with Democrats against the referral. The vote came as Republicans grapple with significant midterm election losses, with some blaming the Iran war and rising fuel prices. Democrats, who take control of the House and Senate in January, may revive the effort, with leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer supporting impeachment. Hegseth, at his first press conference in six months, dismissed the attempt as sabotage, while President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance defended him.