Republicans in the US House of Representatives blocked a move to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, ABC News reported on 11 November 2026. A resolution introduced by outgoing Republican congressman Thomas Massie was referred to a committee by a narrow vote, effectively shelving it for the rest of the current Congress. The vote fell almost entirely along party lines, with no Democrats present supporting the referral. The resolution accused Hegseth of "high crimes and misdemeanours", including in relation to US operations in Iran, Venezuela and Yemen.

Speaking at the Pentagon before the vote, Hegseth called the effort a "political spectacle" and a "personal manifesto" driven by a "disgruntled" congressman, and said the operations in question were lawful and ordered by the commander-in-chief. President Donald Trump reiterated his support for Hegseth on social media. Had the effort succeeded, the report said, it would have made Hegseth the first civilian military leader impeached in 150 years. Democrats have indicated they will revive the impeachment attempt after taking control of Congress on 3 January, following gains in last week's midterm elections.

Any removal would also require conviction in the Senate, with the support of two-thirds of present senators. Massie, who lost a primary earlier this year to Trump-backed Republican Ed Gallrein, will not sit in the next Congress.