Republicans vote to block Hegseth impeachment effort

Detailed summary

Republicans in the US House of Representatives blocked the impeachment effort against US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday.

Republicans in the US House of Representatives blocked the impeachment effort against US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday.

Earlier, Hegseth said he would remain in his post, and called the move a "farce."

Republicans voted 211 to 204 in favor of a motion to refer the impeachment charges to a committee, effectively killing the move.

Republican Representative Thomas Massie from Kentucky introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth. They cite various actions, including those related to the military operations in Iran and Venezuela.

Trump wrote on social media that victories in Venezuela and Iran demonstrated the "EXONERATION of a Great American Patriot." He added that the Democrats will continue to "weaponize" impeachment charges, and that they "must be stopped."

Democrats won a landslide victory in the midterm elections and are set to take control of both chambers of Congress in a new session starting in January 2027.

US media report that the divided Republican Party has shown unexpected unity after a major defeat in the midterm elections.

Opening of the article, excerpted from NHK World. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.