US House Blocks Impeachment Vote Against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

The US House of Representatives voted to refer a motion to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to committee, preventing a full floor vote. The motion was defeated with 211 votes in favor of referral and 204 against. Republican leaders and White House officials worked behind the scenes to block the impeachment effort, which was initiated by Republican Representative Thomas Massie with eight articles of impeachment. The articles relate to the war in Iran, the Maduro-Flores abduction, and extrajudicial killings. The White House argued the impeachment was politically motivated and undermined national security decisions. Democrats could revive the impeachment process next session when they hold the majority in both chambers.