House Republicans reject Hegseth impeachment effort and elect new leadership after midterm losses

House Republicans have defeated an effort to remove Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and elected new party leadership following major losses in the midterm elections.

(NBC)- House Republicans have defeated an effort to remove Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and elected new party leadership following major losses in the midterm elections.

Outgoing Republican Rep. Thomas Massie led the effort to impeach Hegseth over several actions, including his handling of the Iran war.

The measure failed in a 211-204 House vote, with no Republican lawmakers joining Massie’s effort.

President Donald Trump celebrated the outcome, saying the impeachment push had failed and describing Hegseth as a great American patriot.

Hegseth also defended himself against the accusations.

“It’s a farce, and it’s a stunt, and everybody knows it,” Hegseth said.

Massie argued that Hegseth had “violated the norms of war.”

Although the impeachment effort failed, Democrats could revisit the issue when they take control of Congress in January.

However, some incoming Democratic lawmakers are urging their party to prioritize the economic concerns that helped drive their election victories.

“The question of whether or not cabinet members are doing their job well is a secondary question to how do we address the crisis in folks’ life,” said Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed.

The election results are also prompting discussions about Democratic leadership, with some progressives calling for a challenge to longtime Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.

Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders expressed support for a leadership change.

“I like Chuck. Nobody who works harder than Chuck Schumer. But in my view, the time is now for change,” Sanders said.

Meanwhile, Republicans have selected Rep. Jim Jordan as their new House minority leader and Rep. Tom Emmer as minority whip for the 120th Congress.

“We will regain the trust and confidence of the American people,” Emmer said.

Sen. John Thune will remain the Senate Republican leader as the party prepares for its new role in Congress.

“I think we have to take the lesson to heart,” Thune said.

Republican leaders say they intend to learn from their election losses while continuing to focus on issues affecting American families.