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Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday blocked an effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the war against Iran, handing President Donald Trump a political victory days after his party lost control of both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections.
The House voted 211-204 to refer the impeachment resolution to the Judiciary Committee, effectively preventing a planned Wednesday vote on whether to bring formal charges against the Pentagon chief.
The resolution was introduced by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a vocal Trump critic who was the only member of his party to oppose the procedural move, according to U.S. media reports.
Republicans retain a narrow House majority until January 2027, when Democrats are set to take control of both chambers following their sweeping victory in last week's elections. Eleven Democrats were absent from Tuesday's vote.
Trump celebrated the outcome on Truth Social, calling it an "EXONERATION of a Great American Patriot."
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell similarly hailed the vote as a "TOTAL VICTORY!"
"We look forward to ending this sham impeachment in the committee room, where facts will continue to prevail and this distraction can be put to rest," Parnell wrote on X.
Massie's resolution contained eight articles of impeachment accusing Hegseth of illegally conducting military operations without congressional authorization and abusing his powers as defense secretary.
Several allegations concerned the eight-month war against Iran, including claims that Hegseth violated the War Powers Resolution, which restricts the president's ability to conduct military operations without congressional authorization.
Other articles addressed U.S. military operations against Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis in 2025 and strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.
Massie characterized the maritime strikes as "extrajudicial killings."
The resolution also accused Hegseth of suppressing free speech by seeking to punish Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly over a video encouraging military and intelligence personnel to refuse unlawful orders.
The allegations come amid growing criticism of the Trump administration's handling of the Iran war, which, along with rising fuel prices, became a major issue in last week's midterm elections.
Speaking at a Pentagon news conference earlier Tuesday, Hegseth rejected the accusations and defended his leadership of U.S. military operations.
"It's a farce, and it's a stunt, and everybody knows it," he said, describing the allegations as "slander" and "sabotage."
Hegseth defended military operations involving Iran, Yemen and Venezuela, as well as strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels.
"I stand behind every one of these operations. I was proud to execute them, and I would do it again tomorrow," he said.
Shortly after Hegseth's televised remarks, Trump publicly reaffirmed his support for the defense secretary.
"Pete Hegseth gets an 'A' PLUS, PLUS, PLUS," the president wrote on Truth Social.
Vice President JD Vance also defended Hegseth, saying he had "obviously not" committed impeachable offenses.
The vote represents an immediate setback for efforts to remove Hegseth, but it does not permanently end the impeachment process.
Referring the resolution to the Judiciary Committee prevents the immediate floor vote sought by Massie, while leaving open the possibility that lawmakers could revive impeachment proceedings later.
Democrats are expected to assume control of the House and Senate in January after defeating Republicans in the Nov. 3 elections, potentially giving them greater influence over investigations into the administration's military operations.
Massie, who lost his Republican primary to a Trump-backed challenger, is set to leave Congress when his term expires.
The procedural victory provides Hegseth with a temporary reprieve as scrutiny of the administration's military campaign against Iran continues.
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