Hegseth impeachment: House Republicans kill vote 211-204 for now
The House sent Thomas Massie's eight impeachment articles against Pete Hegseth to committee, ending them this Congress. Why Democrats say it isn't over.
The US House of Representatives voted 211 to 204 on Tuesday, 10 November, to send articles of impeachment against Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Judiciary Committee, which in practice kills them for the rest of this Congress. The vote came a week after Republicans lost both houses of Congress in the midterm elections.
Who tried to impeach Hegseth?
The push came from inside Hegseth’s own party. Republican congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky filed eight articles of impeachment, focused on US military actions and changes at the Pentagon under Hegseth on his watch, CBS News and CNN reported. Calls for impeachment grew after several Republicans blamed the party’s heavy midterm losses on the Iran war.
How did the vote go?
Republican leaders moved to refer the articles to the Judiciary Committee rather than hold a direct vote on impeaching Hegseth. That motion passed 211 to 204. Massie was the only Republican to vote against it, joining every Democrat, according to the reports.
Sending the articles to committee means the Republican chair can sit on them until the new Congress is sworn in on 3 January 2027, when they lapse.
What did Trump and Hegseth say?
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that the effort had “miserably FAILED!”. Hegseth called it a “political spectacle”. Democrats said the fight was not over.
Could Hegseth still be impeached?
Yes, in theory. Democrats won control of the House and the Senate in last week’s midterms and take over in January. A Democratic House could bring new articles. Removing a cabinet member needs two-thirds of the Senate, though, which is a far higher bar than impeaching.
Why it matters in Pakistan
Hegseth runs the department fighting the Iran war, which has shaken shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices and the LNG cargoes Pakistan depends on. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have said in recent days that major combat with Iran may no longer be needed. A defence secretary under political pressure at home, with Congress about to change hands, is one more reason the war’s next phase is uncertain.
The next date to watch is 3 January, when the new Congress, controlled by Democrats, is sworn in.
