House Republicans block Pete Hegseth impeachment bid

Republicans in the US House of Representatives blocked an attempt to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday, November 10, delaying the controversial Pentagon chief's fate before Democrats take control of Congress next year. The procedural motion was defeated 211-204, with only one Republican supporting the initiative. The vote sent eight articles of impeachment to the Republican-led Judiciary Committee, effectively ending the effort. Eleven Democrats, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, were absent from the vote, which needed eight more favorable votes to advance. The articles accuse Hegseth of "high crimes and misdemeanors" for ordering military action in Iran, Yemen, and Venezuela without congressional approval. Hegseth would have been the first Defense Secretary to face impeachment, with the last similar case occurring in 1876. The failed effort comes amid voter anger over the eight-month Iran war, which helped Democrats win Congress in last week's midterm elections. President Trump celebrated the outcome, while Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries signaled possible new impeachment efforts in the next Congress.