House votes to refer impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to committee

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 211-204 to refer articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Judiciary Committee, a step that is expected to delay any further action until the next Congress meets in January. The motion, introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie, was the only Republican-Democrat coalition against the referral; Massie was the sole Republican to vote with Democrats.

President Donald Trump posted on social media praising Hegseth as a "Great American Patriot" and described the vote as an "exoneration" of the secretary. The president also characterized the impeachment attempt as a failure.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would support impeachment proceedings in the Senate, noting that Hegseth is "utterly unfit to lead" the Defense Department. Former Senate Republican Thom Tillis indicated he would vote to convict Hegseth if the House were to impeach him, while Senator Joni Ernst expressed concerns about the flow of information from the Pentagon.

The vote followed a longer-than-scheduled floor session, during which several members were observed with young children and Speaker Mike Johnson was present. The measure now moves to the Judiciary Committee, where it is likely to remain pending until the new Congress convenes.