WATCH LIVE: House expected to hold preliminary vote on Hegseth impeachment as GOP chooses next leader

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth condemned a House effort to impeach him, calling it a political spectacle centred on policy disagreements rather than conduct that could justify removal. The House was expected to vote on whether to advance the measure, brought by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie over Hegseth’s handling of the war against Iran and other military actions.

Separately, House Republicans chose Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan as their minority leader, defeating Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise. Jordan takes charge of a historically small Republican conference as it prepares to operate without control of the House during the final two years of Donald Trump’s presidency.