The US House of Representatives declined to advance an impeachment effort targeting Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, with 204 members voting to consider the measure and 211 opposing it. The articles introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie were instead referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Radio Svoboda (svoboda.org) reported the outcome on Wednesday, November 11. The referral effectively leaves no time for the current Congress to act on the case before its term ends, while a new Democratic-majority Congress is due to begin work in January.

Massie was the only Republican to ultimately support the initiative, joined by most Democrats. His eight accusations included alleged abuse of authority during the war with Iran and the conduct of military operations without congressional authorization. The filing also challenged US actions in Venezuela and strikes on vessels in the Caribbean that the Pentagon said were carrying drugs.

President Donald Trump and Pentagon representatives described the vote as a complete victory for Hegseth. Before the ballot, Hegseth dismissed the impeachment attempt as a “farce” that would not succeed.