The United States House of Representatives has begun a vote on whether to advance an impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The procedural ballot on Tuesday comes after a midterm election in which voters voiced anger over the Iran war that Hegseth has helped drive.
The vote will decide whether the resolution, introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie, is sent back to committee, which would effectively block it, or moves to a final vote on Wednesday. Democrats are expected to support the measure. That will test whether Republicans are willing to break with the Trump administration and distance themselves from a war that has become unpopular after their poor showing at the polls.
Eight articles accuse Hegseth of an illegal war and strikes
The resolution contains eight separate articles of impeachment. They accuse Hegseth of launching an illegal war against Iran without congressional approval. They also accuse him of overseeing strikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels, which legal scholars say amount to extrajudicial killings. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he is a “hard yes” on the resolution.
Also read: Republican Thomas Massie to force impeachment vote on Hegseth · Trump defends Iran war after Republican midterm losses
Hegseth has denounced the resolution as “sabotage” and a “farce”. President Donald Trump and several prominent members of his administration have continued to back him.
Republican doubts grow over Hegseth’s standing
Speculation about Hegseth’s position has spread as polls suggest voters partly blame the war for rising prices of goods such as gasoline and groceries. The talk has grown stronger after Republicans suffered heavy losses in the midterms.
Outgoing Republican Senator Joni Ernst questioned Hegseth on Tuesday. “Is he being truthful in the way the war is going?” she said.
