US Republicans block impeachment push against Defense Secretary Hegseth

US Republican lawmakers on Tuesday blocked an impeachment procedure against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, referring the resolution to committee and delaying any vote until a Democrat-majority Congress takes office in January. Republicans, who retain control until the new Congress is sworn in, moved to shelve the measure filed by outgoing GOP Representative Thomas Massie. Massie accuses Hegseth of eight offenses, including waging war against Iran without congressional approval and ignoring civilian casualty protections. President Donald Trump praised the outcome, calling Hegseth a "great patriot," while the Pentagon dismissed the impeachment attempt as baseless. Hegseth, a controversial former Fox News host, has faced scandals including the "Signalgate" leak and a proposed live-streamed military execution.