Pete Hegseth

The vote on a procedural motion came just hours after Hegseth blasted efforts to impeach him as a farce and delivered a defiant defense of his record at the helm of the US military.

This comes the day after Republican Representative Thomas Massie introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth, which lawmakers are expected to vote on later this week. 

“At this point, taking the military action doesn’t seem to be a very necessary thing. But we’re locked and loaded, ready to go for any reason that changes,” Trump said.

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie filed an impeachment request against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, with Democrats expected to back the effort in the House.

While the measures of impeachment could get sufficient votes to pass the House, it remains unclear whether or not they would pass in the Senate.

Wiles, who recently recovered from breast cancer, will move to his political operation, while Miller, the Jewish architect of the administration’s hardline immigration policies, takes over.

Hegseth rejected renewed impeachment efforts on Thursday as Republican Rep. Thomas Massie prepared to reintroduce articles against him following the midterm elections.

Trump defended his defense secretary following Republican midterm losses, despite reports that he is consulting advisers about Hegseth's future and considering potential replacements.

"Classified information is not personal property. Leaking it for personal, political, or professional gain is a betrayal of the trust placed in those responsible for keeping it," Parnell wrote.

Vance has reportedly reached out to Iran to revive peace negotiations, although Trump dismissed the reports, saying the communication regarded medical equipment.