Voting on the impeachment of U.S. Secretary of Defense may take place as early as this week

A few days after President Donald Trump's party suffered a significant defeat in the midterm elections, one Republican lawmaker initiated impeachment proceedings against U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth due to the war in Iran, which could lead to a vote in the House of Representatives as early as this week. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie introduced eight articles of impeachment, accusing Hegseth of abuse of power and waging an illegal war against Iran. He also reminded about the attack on a school in the early days of the war, where 120 children were killed as a result of a U.S. strike. Massie is using a special procedure that requires the House to consider his resolution within two days, so a vote could take place as early as Wednesday in the House, which is currently controlled by Republicans, with some lawmakers possibly joining Democrats in supporting the charges. According to Massie, Hegseth "knowingly executed and implemented illegal orders," waging war without Congressional approval. ## ## Trump continues to provide unwavering support for Hegseth Although impeachment would be a humiliating blow to the Trump administration, on Monday the president continued to support Hegseth, stating that he would stand by him even if he were impeached. The U.S. president also said that Hegseth had done a "good job" and "won" the wars in Iran and Venezuela, referring to the illegal takeover of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Even if Hegseth is impeached, he will not be automatically removed from office, as a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate is required for a guilty verdict and removal, which is a much higher barrier, even after Democrats take control of the chamber on January 3. The recent defeat of Republicans in the elections has led to a rift within the party, which may prompt some lawmakers to abstain from voting and make it easier for the impeachment resolution to pass.