House Republicans blocked an effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday, rejecting allegations that he repeatedly violated the Constitution through his handling of the Iran war and other military operations.
The vote came a week after Republicans lost control of both chambers in their worst midterm election in more than half a century. It underscored how lawmakers remain wary of crossing Donald Trump, who has signaled his continued support for Hegseth.
Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican who lost his primary after breaking with the president, introduced the impeachment resolution in September. It alleged an array of illegal acts, including killing civilians in Iran, launching unauthorized operations in Venezuela and Yemen, and retaliating against a Democratic senator.
The Vote
Republicans moved to kill the resolution by referring it to the judiciary committee. Their motion succeeded 211-204, largely along party lines. Massie was the sole Republican to oppose the motion, along with all Democrats.
Trump, who was twice impeached, celebrated what he called the “EXONERATION of a Great American Patriot” and lashed out at Massie for forcing the vote.
“The Democrats continue to weaponize and abuse the United States of America,” Trump said on Truth Social. “They must be stopped!”
The Pentagon declared “total victory.” “The referral of these baseless impeachment articles to the House judiciary committee marks total victory for Secretary Hegseth, the Department of War, and the American warfighter,” spokesman Sean Parnell wrote.
The Charges
Massie’s resolution outlined eight alleged constitutional violations. They included attacking Iran without congressional permission, ignoring laws that would have minimized civilian casualties, and specifically cited a US strike on a school in Minab, Iran, that killed more than 168 people.
Other articles alleged Hegseth violated the Constitution with “extrajudicial killings” of at least 221 people on boats suspected of carrying drugs in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, and of “suppressing free speech” through retaliation against Sen. Mark Kelly.
The final two articles targeted Hegseth’s involvement in the military operation that captured Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, and a bombing campaign in Yemen.
The Response
Hegseth held a defiant press conference hours before the vote, dismissing the effort as a “political spectacle” orchestrated by the ousted Kentucky congressman.
“It’s a farce, and it’s a stunt, and everybody knows it,” Hegseth said.
Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader expected to become speaker in January, said he was “a hard yes on the Hegseth resolution.” “He’s abused his power,” Jeffries told PBS. “He’s undermined our national security.”
The Bottom Line
House Republicans blocked an effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, referring the resolution to the Judiciary Committee on a 211-204 vote. Massie was the lone Republican to oppose the motion. The charges included waging war without congressional approval, extrajudicial killings, and retaliation against a senator. Hegseth called it a “farce.” The Pentagon called it “total victory.”
My Opinion
Pete Hegseth is still in office. And the people who let him stay there are calling it a victory.
A school in Iran was bombed. More than 168 people were killed. At least 221 people were killed in boat strikes in the Caribbean. A sitting senator was targeted for his speech. The Constitution was violated, according to eight articles of impeachment. And yet, House Republicans voted to look the other way.
Trump called it “exoneration.” The Pentagon called it “total victory.” They are celebrating the fact that they were not held accountable. That is what they are proud of.
Hegseth said the charges were a “farce.” But the farce is that a man accused of killing civilians and violating the Constitution is still running the Pentagon. The farce is that Congress refused to even debate it. The farce is that the party that lost the election is still protecting the man who helped lose it
Democrats will take control in January. Jeffries says he is a “hard yes” on impeachment. But by then, the damage will be done. Hegseth will have had more time to run the Pentagon his way.
