Explained: How Does The US Impeach And Remove A Cabinet Secretary?

The US House of Representatives has rejected a resolution seeking to impeach Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, voting 211-204 to refer it to a committee for further consideration. But how does impeachment work for US Cabinet secretaries? Under the US Constitution, federal officials can be impeached for treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanours. The process begins in the House of Representatives, where a simple majority is required to approve articles of impeachment. The case then moves to the Senate for a trial, where a two-thirds majority of senators present is needed to convict and remove the official. Impeachment does not automatically remove a Cabinet secretary from office. Only two Cabinet secretaries have been impeached in US history, and neither was convicted by the Senate.