House Republicans Vote to Impeach Pete Hegseth
A 211-204 vote sent the resolution to committee, capping a week in which Republicans lost control of Congress.
By Harvey Wilson ·
House Republicans voted 211-204 on Tuesday to send an impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the judiciary committee. The action effectively stalled the effort for the current session. The vote occurred one week after Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress in the November midterm elections. This result marked the party's worst midterm performance in more than 50 years. Lawmakers appeared hesitant to challenge President Donald Trump, who has maintained his support for Hegseth despite recent political setbacks.
The resolution was introduced in September by former Republican representative Thomas Massie. Massie lost his primary after breaking with the president. The text alleged eight specific violations of the Constitution by the defense secretary. These claims included launching military operations in Iran without seeking congressional permission. The resolution also cited unauthorized actions in Venezuela and Yemen. It further alleged that Hegseth retaliated against Democratic Senator Mark Kelly for criticizing the department.
Democrats supported the resolution, but most Republicans joined their party in moving to refer the bill to the judiciary committee. Massie was the only Republican to vote against that motion. All Democrats voted with him. Trump, who was previously impeached twice, posted on Truth Social that he celebrated what he called the exoneration of a great American patriot. He criticized Massie for forcing the vote. Trump wrote that Democrats continue to weaponize the United States and must be stopped.
The Pentagon spokesperson, Sean Parnell, declared a total victory for the department and the American warfighter. Parnell described the referral to the committee as a win for Hegseth. This statement came hours after Hegseth held a press conference at the Pentagon. During that event, Hegseth dismissed the impeachment effort as a political spectacle and a farce. He called the process a stunt that everyone understands.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard officer, has taken a hard line in managing the military. He has overseen the departure of top generals and blocked promotions for many officers. A significant portion of those blocked were women and people of color. New rules implemented by his office also led many members of the press corps to leave the Pentagon. The Iran conflict has divided Republicans, with some voting with Democrats on war powers resolutions to end hostilities.
Warren Davidson, a House Republican who voted for those war powers measures, said he still rejected the impeachment. Davidson argued in an interview that the move was an attempt to shift blame for congressional failures and Trump's decisions onto Hegseth. He praised the defense secretary for restoring morale and the warrior ethos within the active-duty force. He stated that the military exists to fight and win wars.
The resolution specifically cited a US strike on a school in Minab, Iran, which killed more than 168 people. It also alleged extrajudicial killings of at least 221 people on boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. The text accused Hegseth of ignoring laws designed to minimize civilian casualties. The final articles targeted the operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and a bombing campaign in Yemen. The resolution would have required Senate approval to proceed, but Republicans currently hold a 53-seat majority in that chamber. It remains unclear if they would have supported the measure.
