US lawmakers plan impeachment vote for Hegseth over Iran war

US lawmakers plan to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as soon as next week, following Republican losses in the midterm elections partly attributed to the Iran war he championed. Representative Thomas Massie will reintroduce articles of impeachment against Hegseth for waging war without congressional approval. Massie, a Kentucky Republican, said his resolution is "a much gentler version" of what Democrats will pursue when they control Congress in January. He suggested Trump fire Hegseth quickly so the Republican-controlled Senate can confirm a successor before Democrats take over. Hegseth defended his tenure in a video, calling Massie a "disgruntled, defeated congressman." Hegseth, a former National Guardsman and Fox News host, was narrowly confirmed and has faced criticism over his qualifications and combative relations with Congress. Vice President JD Vance blamed the midterm wipeout on the war, saying "the reason we lost is the war." Trump has publicly backed Hegseth, calling his performance "fantastic."