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The House of Representatives voted 211-204 on Tuesday (November 10) to block an impeachment resolution against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, referring it to a committee and effectively stalling the effort for now. The resolution, introduced by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky, accused Hegseth of unauthorized military actions in Iran, Venezuela, and Yemen, as reported by TIME.
Hegseth dismissed the impeachment attempt as a "political spectacle" and a "farce" during a news briefing, according to BBC. He argued that the effort was motivated by policy disagreements rather than legitimate charges of misconduct.
The impeachment resolution faced challenges, as the Los Angeles Times reported, with Massie being the only Republican to vote against referring the resolution to committee. Eleven Democrats were absent from the vote.
President Donald Trump supported Hegseth, praising his defense record and calling Massie a "disgruntled and defeated congressman." Trump emphasized Hegseth's leadership in military operations, including the Iran war, which has been a point of contention among lawmakers.
Democrats, who will take control of Congress in January, may revive the impeachment effort. They argue that Hegseth's actions violated the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which limits the president's ability to conduct military operations without congressional approval.
The articles of impeachment accused Hegseth of launching the Iran war without authorization, conducting unlawful strikes, and retaliating against Senator Mark Kelly for opposing illegal orders. Hegseth and his allies have portrayed these allegations as attacks on successful military operations.
As Democrats prepare to take control, the political landscape may shift, allowing them to pursue impeachment with a simple majority in the House. However, a Senate conviction would require a two-thirds majority, making it a challenging endeavor.