Republicans derail the impeachment against Hegseth despite the electoral defeat

WashingtonThe impeachment trial of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had turned, above all, into a test of loyalty to Donald Trump following the electoral defeat in the mid-terms. The response was clear: the Republican majority that still dominates the House of Representatives has derailed the case. With 211 votes to 204, it was decided to send the impeachment resolution to the Judiciary Committee. The decision effectively brings the process to a dead end, as this group is also controlled by a Republican majority.

Only one Republican, Thomas Massie, voted alongside the other 203 Democrats. The Kentucky lawmaker was the one who introduced the resolution into the legislative circuit, taking advantage of the juncture between the unrest within the party over the election results and the fact that many of his colleagues will not renew their seats in January. Having been guaranteed that their term was ending, all these congressmen had very little to lose (that Trump would oust them) and much to gain (distancing themselves from an unpopular war). Massie will also not renew his term next year, as his frontal opposition to Trump over the Epstein papers and the conflict in the Middle East cost him re-election in the party's primary process. The American president poured millions of dollars into his opponent's campaign.

The American president himself had acknowledged that the war against Iran, in part, had been one of the causes of the defeat on November 3rd. Consequently, the impeachment process against Hegseth initiated by the congressmen had also become a test of the extent to which Trump still holds the reins of the party. It could also serve as a first trial to evaluate a potential impeachment of the Secretary of Defense led by the future Democratic majority that will take control of the House of Representatives next January.

While a simple majority is sufficient to approve the removal of one of the executive members, in the Senate it is necessary to obtain two-thirds of the chamber. The Democrats, who are expected to have 54 seats - pending what happens in Alaska and Mississippi -, would be forced to obtain the support of at least twelve Republican senators.

The result sends a message similar to the one Trump sent last week when he promoted the architect of the unpopular immigration policies, the ultra Stephen Miller, to chief of staff: Republicans are closing ranks with the tycoon despite the punishment vote for the war. The message that the polls - including the MAGA bases - sent to the executive branch on November 3rd is being completely defied.

Trump, who had shown unconditional support for Hegseth during the process, has celebrated the result. In a message on Truth Social, the Republican highlighted that "every Republican, with the exception of Thomas Massie, a huge loser, has voted in favor of Pete". For the leader, sending the resolution to the committee means "the exoneration of a great patriot".

For his part, Massie has expressed his disappointment with the result and has compared the outgoing Republican bench with the Titanic's orchestra. "They know the ship is sinking, but they are committed to staying on board", he declared. Even so, he maintains hope that another process will be opened in the future.

In total, the impeachment resolution that Massie had presented against Hegseth contains eight charges that constitute a violation of the Constitution and federal law.

Three of the charges presented focus on auditing his conduct in the Iran war. Among other things, Hegseth is accused of waging a military campaign without Congress's authorization and of having continued it despite the legislature voting to put an end to it. He is also accused of having violated the deadline established by the war powers resolution, since after 60 days of conflict the executive needs Congress's approval to continue. Otherwise, he is obligated to withdraw the troops.