House Republicans Block Impeachment Vote on Defense Secretary Hegseth
A House vote referred impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the judiciary committee, ending the effort, while internal GOP dynamics shifted ahead of the new Congress.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie said the GOP was like passengers choosing to stay aboard a sinking ship after his attempt to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was blocked. The motion to refer the articles of impeachment to the House Judiciary Committee passed 211-204, largely along party lines, with Massie the only Republican to oppose it and all Democrats voting against the referral.
President Donald Trump praised the outcome on Truth Social, calling it an "exoneration" and accusing Democrats of 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.