Pete Hegseth survives impeachment push, Trump celebrates

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has strongly attacked Republican Party MP Thomas Massie after the impeachment motions brought against Defense Minister Pete Hegseth were rejected. Attacking Massie, Trump said that a great American patriot has been acquitted of the charges against him. On Tuesday, several impeachment motions against Pete Hegseth were voted on in the US House of Representatives. These motions were brought against Hegseth by some MPs. When these motions were voted on in the House, Republican MPs together stopped them from moving forward. As a result, the impeachment motions could not be passed for further process and were rejected.

Trump then called Hegseth a "great American patriot," citing the victories in Venezuela and Iran, and accused Democrats of using America as a political weapon. Trump also called Republican Congressman Thomas Massie "the biggest loser." It's worth noting that Massie led the impeachment effort against Hegseth and stood with Democrats during the House vote.

House voting results

The US House of Representatives voted 211 to 204 on Wednesday to send the impeachment resolution against Hegseth to the House Judiciary Committee. This prevented the resolution from coming directly to a floor vote and ended a high-profile procedural challenge. Thomas Massie was the only Republican to vote against sending the resolution to committee. All other Republicans voted in favor of Hegseth.

What did Trump say?

Trump then posted on Truthout Social, writing that the Democrats' attempt to impeach Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has failed miserably! Every single Republican voted for Pete except Thomas Massie, a big loser. Trump further stated that victories in Venezuela and Iran, the best recruitment numbers in military history (with long waiting lists), and a spirit never before seen, all led to the acquittal of a great American patriot. He wrote that the Democrats continue to weaponize and abuse the United States of America. They must be stopped! Make America Great Again.

What were Hegseth accused of?

The impeachment motion, led by Thomas Massie, leveled several serious allegations against Pete Hegseth. The main allegations were as follows...

• Abusing his authority and breaking federal law.
• Continuing a prolonged military operation in Iran without explicit congressional authorization, beyond the 60-day limit under the War Powers Resolution.
• Failing to reduce civilian casualties.
• Conducting extra-judicial military operations against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific.
• Taking military action without permission in Yemen and Venezuela.

What did Hegseth say?

Even before the impeachment trial began, Pete Hegseth dismissed it as a "political spectacle" and a "joke." Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon, he said, "It's a joke and a stunt, and everyone knows that." He defended his management of the conflict with Iran, saying that such allegations send a message to America's enemies (Iran, the Cartel, and others) that the US will punish its own fighters and civilian leadership for successfully conducting lawful military operations.