US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has successfully fended off an impeachment push initiated by House Republicans, after the chamber voted on Tuesday to refer the articles to a committee, effectively halting a full vote. The procedural motion passed with 211 votes to 204, granting Hegseth a reprieve amid ongoing criticism regarding his management of the Iran war and other military engagements.
The vote came hours after Secretary Hegseth publicly dismissed the impeachment effort as a "farce" and defended his tenure, comments that garnered immediate praise from President Donald Trump.
Procedural Vote Blocks Full Impeachment
The eight articles of impeachment were sponsored by Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, who had warned that referring the resolution to the House Judiciary Committee would effectively kill the initiative. Massie was the sole Republican to vote against the procedural motion, aligning with Democrats who largely supported the impeachment effort.
Despite strong Democratic support for impeachment, 11 members of their party, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, did not cast a vote. Had eight of these absent Democrats voted against the procedural referral, the motion would have failed, paving the way for a full House impeachment vote. Pelosi's office has not yet commented on her absence.
Trump Praises Hegseth, Condemns Democrats
President Trump celebrated the outcome on social media, declaring the attempt to impeach Hegseth had "miserably FAILED." He wrote, "Every single Republican, except Thomas Massie, a major LOSER, voted in favour of Pete." Trump lauded Hegseth as a "Great American Patriot," attributing victories in Venezuela and Iran, record military recruitment, and improved morale among US forces to his leadership. He further stated that Hegseth's performance on these issues led to the "EXONERATION of a Great American Patriot."
Trump also accused Democrats of weaponizing and abusing the United States, urging that "They must be stopped! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN." He had previously given Hegseth an "A PLUS, PLUS, PLUS" for his defense against Massie's impeachment push.
Historical Context and 'Secretary of War' Title
Had the impeachment effort succeeded, Hegseth would have been the first US defense secretary to be impeached. The last civilian leader of the US military to face impeachment was William Belknap, who held the title of Secretary of War in 1876.
Hegseth's adoption of the title "Secretary of War" is part of his stated effort to rebrand a military he described as too weak and "woke" upon taking office last year. However, the official name of the Department of Defense cannot be changed without congressional approval.