Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Survives Impeachment Push and Arlington Guard Reprimand

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth survived a congressional impeachment effort on Tuesday after House Republicans voted to refer the resolution to a committee.

The House of Representatives blocked the measure in a 211-204 vote following articles introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky.

The resolution accused Hegseth of waging an unauthorized war in Iran and overseeing extrajudicial operations, though the referral effectively killed the bid for now.

The vote carries high stakes as political control of Congress shifts in January following recent midterm elections.

After the vote, Massie said he was not surprised by the outcome.

"My diagnosis of Congress is these people know what to do," he said. "They just can't bring themselves to do it, even when it would benefit them politically."

President Donald Trump celebrated the legislative outcome on social media.

Trump praised Hegseth and condemned the impeachment effort.

Hegseth dismissed the allegations during a press briefing at the Pentagon.

"This is not patriotism. This is sabotage," Hegseth said.

The defense secretary faced additional public scrutiny following a Veterans Day visit to Arlington National Cemetery.

An Army sentinel publicly reprimanded members of Hegseth's entourage for laughing and talking near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

"All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times!" the guard shouted.

Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell defended the soldier's intervention in a statement.

Hegseth subsequently awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal to Army Specialist Thomas Iglesias on Thursday.

"We love soldiers. We love standards," Hegseth wrote online. "Well done, Specialist."

Lawmakers will determine whether Democrats revive the impeachment push after taking control of both chambers next year.