Washington, Nov 11 (V7N)- US House Speaker Mike Johnson has criticised an effort to impeach Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, describing it as a political manoeuvre intended to attract attention.
Johnson also praised Hegseth's performance, saying he was doing a good job as defence secretary.
Speaking to reporters, Johnson warned that pursuing impeachment against the head of the Pentagon during an international conflict would send a damaging message to both US allies and adversaries.
"The idea of taking action to impeach the Secretary of War during an international conflict sends a terrible message to our enemies and our allies. We will not play that kind of political game. It is shameful," he said.
Despite Republican opposition, the US House of Representatives voted 211-204 on Tuesday (November 10) to refer an impeachment resolution against Hegseth to the Republican-controlled House Judiciary Committee. The decision postponed a direct vote on the proposal.
Republicans are expected to retain control of Congress until January, leaving the next steps in the investigation and impeachment process largely dependent on the party's leadership.
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie introduced the impeachment resolution on Monday (November 9), accusing Hegseth of waging an unauthorised war against Iran, ordering attacks on suspected drug-smuggling vessels and violating US laws.
Massie presented eight articles of impeachment to the House, alleging that Hegseth had implemented unlawful military orders and engaged in unconstitutional activities.
The Kentucky lawmaker had previously introduced a similar set of eight articles in September. However, Johnson adjourned the House early at the time, preventing a vote on the proposal.
Massie has called on Hegseth to resign before the new Congress takes office in January. At a news conference on Monday, he said he would welcome support from any lawmaker seeking to remove the defence secretary, even if they had not read the full impeachment resolution.
"I understand that some of them may vote for this resolution simply because they want to get rid of Hegseth. I welcome their vote as well," Massie said.
He argued that a new congressional investigation could question senior administration officials about the Pentagon's operations and the military's conduct under Hegseth's leadership.
Hegseth, however, has welcomed the opportunity to defend his actions before Congress.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, he said he was prepared to debate the Trump administration's military operations and dismissed criticism from politically motivated opponents.
"If we want to debate the military actions taken by the Trump administration, I am prepared to do so all day," he said. Hegseth was scheduled to hold a news conference on Tuesday.
The impeachment resolution contains several serious allegations against the defence secretary. These include participating in military operations against Iran without congressional authorisation, violating the War Powers Resolution and encouraging a military culture in which operational rules were allegedly disregarded, resulting in civilian casualties.
Massie cited the US bombing of a school in the Iranian city of Minab as an example. More than 150 children were reportedly killed in the attack in February, at the beginning of the US-Israeli war.
The resolution also accuses Hegseth of authorising attacks on suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific without following required safeguards, resulting in what Massie described as extrajudicial killings.
Other allegations include involvement in the abduction of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, restricting media access to the Pentagon and suppressing freedom of expression, as well as conducting an unlawful military campaign against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Massie has frequently criticised Trump's policies, particularly the administration's war against Iran. His opposition has angered the president, who previously backed a challenger against Massie in the Republican primary, which the congressman lost.
Senior Republican figures, including Johnson, have opposed Massie's impeachment initiative.
Under the US Constitution, impeachment by the House requires a simple majority. Conviction and removal from office in the Senate, however, require the support of at least two-thirds of the 100 senators, or 67 votes.
The proposal faces an uphill battle under Republican control of Congress. However, political pressure on Hegseth could increase when the new Congress convenes in January following Democratic gains in the midterm elections.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who could become Speaker if Democrats take control of the House, has also called for Hegseth's impeachment.
In a statement over the weekend, Jeffries accused the defence secretary of abusing his authority, undermining US national security and imposing a reckless and costly war against Iran on the American people.
Even if Democrats secure a Senate majority, they would still need support from Republicans to reach the 67-vote threshold required for conviction and removal.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has said he would continue supporting Hegseth even if the defence secretary faces impeachment.
In an interview with CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins, Trump also launched a personal attack on Massie, describing the Republican congressman as a "stone-cold loser".
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