Hegseth Survives: House Votes to Table Impeachment Articles
The 211-204 vote sends the resolution to committee, ending Rep. Thomas Massie's effort to remove the Defense Secretary before the session closes.
By Bianca Shevchenko ·
The House voted 211 to 204 on Tuesday to refer the articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to committee. This procedural move effectively kills the impeachment effort led by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. The decision prevents a final floor vote before the current congressional session expires.
The vote provides a reprieve for Hegseth, who faced a potential full House vote as early as Wednesday. Massie reintroduced the articles on Monday, citing high crimes and misdemeanors. The charges relate to the war with Iran, U.S. strikes on Iran and alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean. The resolution also sought to oust Hegseth over the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro without congressional authorization. It further targeted the effort to punish Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., for a video telling service members they can refuse illegal orders.
Hegseth defended his record during a press conference at the Pentagon on Tuesday. He described Massie as a disgruntled and defeated congressman. Hegseth stated, I stand behind every one of these operations. I was proud to execute them, and I would do it again tomorrow.
President Donald Trump voiced support for the Defense Secretary during an impromptu briefing at the White House on Monday. Trump said, I’ll stand by him. He won two wars. He was in charge. We all won.
This is the second time Massie has attempted to impeach Hegseth. The first effort was scheduled for a floor vote before the midterm elections. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., called an early recess to avoid the vote, causing the original resolution to expire. Massie reintroduced the measure this week to keep the process alive.
Democrats plan to launch vigorous investigations into the Pentagon once they take the majority in January. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, who is expected to become the next Speaker, told NPR last week that Hegseth has to go. The next steps for the impeachment process remain tied to the new congressional session.
