Trump Celebrates After House Blocks Hegseth Impeachment Articles

WASHINGTON, — US President Donald Trump celebrated after the House of Representatives voted to refer impeachment articles against Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Judiciary Committee, effectively halting the effort in the current Congress. The House voted 211-204 to send the eight articles introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie to committee.

On Truth Social, Trump said the Democrats’ attempt to impeach Hegseth had “miserably FAILED.” He called Massie a “major loser” and said every Republican except Massie had voted in Hegseth’s favour.

Trump cited “victories” in Venezuela and Iran, record military recruitment numbers and what he described as exceptional troop morale as grounds for Hegseth’s exoneration. He accused Democrats of continuing to “weaponize” America and said they should be stopped.

Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, filed eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth on Monday. The charges alleged unauthorised wars in Iran and Yemen, extrajudicial killings in strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats, the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and violations of laws intended to reduce civilian casualties.

Hegseth strongly rejected the allegations, calling the impeachment effort a “farce” and a “stunt.” He said the operations involving Iran, cartels, Maduro and Yemen were lawful, ordered by the commander-in-chief, reported to Congress and carried out by US service members.

Critics criticised Hegseth’s suggestion that he was merely following orders, with some comparing his remarks to Nazi leaders convicted of war crimes at the Nuremberg trials.

Massie had said that if the motion to refer his resolution to committee succeeded, he would seek separate votes on each article. However, the Republican-controlled House blocked the effort; 11 Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi, did not vote.

The vote came after Democrats gained control of the incoming Congress following the Republicans’ heavy midterm defeat, meaning they could revive an impeachment effort after January 2027.