US House Rejects Pete Hegseth Impeachment Over Iran War
Massie argued that the war against Iran was illegal and that Hegseth had violated constitutional limits on the use of military force.
The US House of Representatives has rejected an impeachment resolution against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, with lawmakers voting 211 to 204 against the attempt to remove him over allegations of constitutional violations and the unlawful use of military powers during the war against Iran.
The resolution was introduced by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, a member of President Donald Trump’s own party, who accused Hegseth of bypassing Congress and exercising military authority unlawfully in connection with the conflict.
Massie argued that the war against Iran was illegal and that Hegseth had violated constitutional limits on the use of military force.
The impeachment effort also included allegations concerning a US strike on a school in Minab, Iran, in which children and other civilians were reportedly killed.
Hegseth was accused of violating the US Constitution and abusing the powers of his office. These allegations formed part of the impeachment attempt and were not established by the House vote.
Trump Celebrates Hegseth’s Impeachment Defeat
Following the rejection of the resolution, President Donald Trump welcomed the outcome and strongly criticised Congressman Thomas Massie.
Trump said the impeachment attempt against Hegseth had failed badly, claiming that every Republican except Massie had voted in support of the defence chief.
The president also highlighted what he described as US military successes in Venezuela and Iran, alongside record military recruitment figures.
Trump declared that Hegseth had been cleared by the House and accused Democrats of acting against America’s interests.
He said Democrats were treating the United States unfairly and needed to be stopped.
Hegseth Dismisses Impeachment Attempt as Political Spectacle
Before the House vote, Hegseth dismissed the impeachment resolution, describing it as a political spectacle that would have no impact on his position.
He also characterised the attempt as a conspiracy against American military personnel.
Hegseth argued that no US secretary of war had been removed during an ongoing military operation in the country’s history.
He maintained that the military operations were legally authorised and rejected the allegations against him.
The failed impeachment attempt highlights divisions within the Republican Party over the Iran war and the constitutional authority of the executive branch to conduct military operations without congressional approval.
Although the House rejected the resolution, the vote itself does not constitute a judicial determination of the legality of the military operations or the allegations raised against Hegseth.
