House Republicans back Hegseth impeachment after midterm election defeat

House Republicans are increasingly prepared to support Thomas Massie’s impeachment effort against Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth following electoral losses and growing anger over the Iran war.

US House Republican leaders are preparing for a possible impeachment of Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth as growing discontent within the party increases support for the move following the Republicans’ major midterm election losses.

According to Axios, Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky plans to force a vote on his impeachment resolution, accusing Hegseth of defying Congress and illegally continuing the US war in Iran.

The report said Republican lawmakers who lost their seats in the elections may be more willing to support impeachment, as frustration over the conflict intensifies.

One Republican lawmaker told Axios, “Iran, Iran, Iran … We should have never done the war before the midterms.”

Another accused Hegseth’s rhetoric of being “very damaging to our ability to get the facts out to the American people” about military strikes against Iran.

President Donald Trump has defended Hegseth, expressing his intention to retain him.

However, Hegseth dismissed the impeachment effort as a “sham”, while Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell insisted the department had acted lawfully.

Even if the House approves impeachment, removing Hegseth would require a two-thirds majority in the Senate, making his removal uncertain.