House Republicans Shield Defense Secretary Hegseth and Block Impeachment Vote
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A House vote sent impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the judiciary committee, effectively killing the effort as Republicans closed ranks and internal party maneuvering intensified ahead of the new Congress.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie said the GOP was acting like passengers choosing to stay aboard a sinking ship after his effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was stopped cold. The motion to refer the articles of impeachment to the House Judiciary Committee passed 211-204, mostly along party lines, with Massie the only Republican to oppose it and all Democrats voting against the referral.
President Donald Trump cheered the result on Truth Social, calling it an "exoneration" while attacking Democrats for weaponizing the country.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell described the referral as a "total victory" for Secretary Hegseth and the Department of Defense.
Eleven Democratic representatives, including Nancy Pelosi, missed the vote, according to a report, preventing the articles from advancing. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said the party would discuss a possible new impeachment effort in the next Congress.
In related congressional developments, Representative Jim Jordan was elected House minority leader, defeating Representative Steve Scalise, and Senator John Thune was re-elected as Senate minority leader. Nine members of the Kennedy family have filed a lawsuit seeking to block a planned 250-foot arch near Arlington National Cemetery, alleging it would obstruct historic memorials. A federal judge allowed President Trump's defamation lawsuit against the BBC to proceed.