Republican launches impeachment against Pete Hegseth

A Republican lawmaker moved on Monday to impeach US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over the war in Iran, setting up a potentially explosive vote in Congress just days after US 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 authorisation and abusing his powers as Pentagon chief. The Republican-controlled House could vote as early as Wednesday, with some lawmakers from Trump's party signalling 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. 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 last Tuesday's midterm elections, when Democrats swept both chambers of Congress amid widespread anger over the Iran war and soaring fuel prices. Republicans retain control of Congress until the newly elected lawmakers take office on January 3, but their overwhelming defeat has fuelled recriminations and weakened party discipline. Some Republican lawmakers who lost their seats could also skip votes, potentially making it...