Republican divisions are deepening in Washington after impeachment articles were introduced against US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The move, led by outgoing Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, accuses Hegseth of violating his oath of office over the war in Iran and US military actions in Venezuela and the Caribbean.

Hegseth dismissed the effort as a political attack, while President Donald Trump defended him. With Democrats set to control Congress after Republican midterm losses, an impeachment vote could become the first major political test for the Trump administration.