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Republican leaders moved to quash the resolution through a procedural vote that sent it to the Judiciary Committee where it is expected to remain stalled, according to a Reuters report. Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie stood as the lone Republican to oppose the step while all Democrats present backed keeping the measure alive, resulting in the narrow tally that effectively ends its immediate path. Massie had delivered the 34-page document containing eight articles of impeachment the day prior, triggering the requirement for House action within two legislative days.
The articles accuse Hegseth of high crimes and misdemeanors that include directing human rights abuses and waging war against Iran without congressional approval, Stars and Stripes reported. They further allege unauthorized operations in Venezuela and Yemen along with actions that undercut measures designed to prevent civilian casualties during military engagements. Massie first introduced similar charges in September before re-filing them this week as a privileged resolution.
Hegseth opened the day with his first Pentagon news conference in six months where he denounced the impeachment drive, according to Politico. He called the proceedings a political spectacle and a farce that wrongly insinuated American troops might be committing war crimes. In the 250 years of our American republic, no Secretary of War or Secretary of Defense has ever been impeached for carrying out lawful military operations, and in our case, successful ones, Hegseth stated.
President Donald Trump celebrated the vote in a Truth Social post that labeled the effort a miserable failure, Bloomberg Government noted. Trump singled out Massie as a major loser for breaking with the party and added that Hegseth’s record on Iran, Venezuela and other matters had produced the exoneration of a great American patriot. The White House had worked with GOP leadership to unify against the resolution throughout the process.
The outcome highlighted party discipline despite Republican losses in last week’s midterm elections that will transfer control of the House and Senate to Democrats in January, a CNN live update indicated. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters afterward that this is not the end, signaling plans to revive the matter under the incoming majority. Massie downplayed the impact of 11 absent Democrats when speaking to The Intercept, saying there were enough Republicans present to have advanced the resolution if they had chosen to do so.
Hegseth’s standing within the administration appears reinforced by the episode, The Wall Street Journal reported. The defense secretary used the news conference to defend military actions taken under his leadership as both lawful and successful. No additional floor action on the impeachment articles is anticipated before the new Congress convenes next year.
