US lawmakers are holding a crucial procedural vote in the House of Representatives regarding an impeachment measure targeting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Introduced by outgoing Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, the measure accuses Hegseth of waging an unauthorized war on Iran and handling military operations improperly without congressional authorization.
Speaking at the Pentagon, Hegseth strongly defended his record, dismissing the impeachment effort as a "farce," a "stunt," and "sabotage." The Defense Secretary maintained that all military actions in Iran, Venezuela, and other regions were lawful and ordered directly by the commander-in-chief.
The push for impeachment follows significant Republican losses in recent midterm elections, with some party members pointing to the war in Iran as a major factor behind the backlash. While President Donald Trump staunchly backed Hegseth—awarding him top marks on social media—the impeachment effort has drawn support from various Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, as well as select Republicans.
Because Republicans retain control of Congress until January, any attempt at full impeachment and removal remains an uphill challenge, though the ongoing lame-duck session continues to draw intense scrutiny on Capitol Hill.
