Trump Hails Defeat of Hegseth's Impeachment, Democrats Vow 'Just the Beginning'
Earlier, Trump had rallied behind Hegseth, saying that he would stand by his Cabinet colleague even if the House voted to impeach him
Washington DC: US President Donald Trump lashed out at outgoing Congressman Thomas Massie as the US House voted against the articles of impeachment against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Tuesday (local time).
In a post on Truth Social after Republicans in the outgoing House of Representatives blocked the impeachment effort, Trump said, "The Democrats’ attempt to impeach Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has miserably FAILED! Every single Republican, except Thomas Massie, a major LOSER, voted in favour of Pete," Trump wrote on Tuesday.
"Again, Victories in Venezuela and Iran, the Best Recruitment Numbers in the History of the Military (Long waiting lists to get in!), and Spirit like rarely seen before, led to the EXONERATION of a Great American Patriot," Trump added.
Earlier, Trump had rallied behind Hegseth, telling CNN that he would stand by his Cabinet colleague even if the House voted to impeach him.
Meanwhile, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell also hailed the US House's decision, describing it as a "total victory" and calling the impeachment effort a political exercise.
"TOTAL VICTORY! The referral of these baseless impeachment articles to the House Judiciary Committee marks total victory for Secretary Hegseth, the Department of War, and the American war fighter. From the beginning, this effort was a political exercise devoid of merit, evidence, or seriousness. It collapses under the weight of Secretary Hegseth’s record of restoring the warrior ethos, delivering results, and putting the mission first.
"The American people see through it. We will not indulge the political theatre driven by a disgruntled soon-to-be former congressman and others who have chosen grandstanding over governing. We look forward to ending this sham impeachment in the committee room, where facts will continue to prevail and this distraction can be put to rest. We will always stand tall and fight to defend the Republic," Parnell posted on X.
However, Hegseth faces a challenging road ahead when the new House, which will be controlled by Democrats, is sworn in.
Incumbent House Minority Leader and possible Speaker candidate Hakeem Jeffries told US media that Tuesday's vote was not the end of the matter.
CNN reported that when asked about absences contributing to the vote, Jeffries said the impeachment effort was only beginning.
"I haven’t had a conversation with anyone on the floor team about what may or may not have happened in terms of the Hegseth resolution, but this is not the end of it, it’s just the beginning," he told US media.
For Hegseth, Tuesday's vote represents a political reprieve. However, with a Democrat-controlled House and Senate expected to take shape soon, his troubles may be far from over.