U.S. House blocks effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a press conference at the Pentagon in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. House has blocked a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, halting an effort to remove him largely for his handling of the conflict with Iran.
Once President Trump signaled strong support for Hegseth, Republican lawmakers largely stood by the secretary, stopping the effort in a near party-line vote.
The effort was led by Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and backed by Democrats. The vote today may only delay an impeachment push against Hegseth, with Democrats set to take control of the House and Senate in January.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is expected to become the next speaker when Democrats take charge in January, stood firmly behind the push, saying Hegseth has “abused his power” and “undermined America’s national security.”
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer endorsed Hegseth’s impeachment as well.
Hegseth rebuked the effort, portraying Massie as a rogue lawmaker and arguing he had committed none of the high crimes required in the Constitution for his removal. He framed the effort as an indictment against the nation’s service members and their successes and said it was undermining American forces “in real time.”
“This is not patriotism,” Hegseth said. “This is sabotage.”
Massie’s resolution included eight counts of impeachment. It largely focused on the war in Iran but also included references to Hegseth’s role in carrying out military actions in Yemen and Venezuela.
Massie, a Kentucky Republican leaving Congress in January after losing his primary to a Trump-backed opponent, says Hegseth has “knowingly executed and implemented unlawful orders.”
Trump celebrated the House vote, saying on social media that it was the exoneration of “a Great American Patriot.”
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