Republican congressman launches impeachment bid against Pentagon chief Hegseth

A Republican lawmaker moved Monday to impeach US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the war in Iran, setting up a potentially explosive vote in Congress just days after President Donald Trump's party suffered a crushing midterm defeat. Kentucky congressman Thomas Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment accusing Hegseth of illegally waging war without congressional authorization and abusing his powers as Pentagon chief. The Republican-controlled House could vote as early as Wednesday, with some lawmakers from Trump's party signaling that they might join Democrats in supporting the charges. Impeachment would be a humiliating blow for Hegseth and the Trump administration, but would not automatically remove him from office. Read moreDemocrats warn Trump camp to ‘lawyer up’ as anger over corruption drives midterms wipeout That would require a trial and conviction by a two-thirds majority in the Senate – a far higher hurdle, even after Democrats take control of the chamber in January. The impeachment push has gathered momentum since Tuesday's midterm elections, when Democrats swept both chambers of Congress amid widespread anger over the Iran war and soaring fuel prices. Republi...