House Republicans block impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Vote blocks formal charges

The House voted 211 to 204 on Tuesday to send the resolution to the Judiciary Committee. This action effectively derails a planned Wednesday vote on bringing formal charges against the Pentagon chief. Republicans largely supported the motion while all Democrats and one Republican opposed it. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky congressman who defeated his primary following a split with the president, brought forward the resolution.

Context of recent elections

The vote occurred a week after Republicans suffered their worst midterm election defeat in more than half a century. Democrats won decisive majorities in the November election and are expected to take control of the chamber in January. Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, backed the push to impeach Hegseth for undermining national security. Trump hailed the outcome as an exoneration of a great American patriot on Truth Social.

Responses from officials

Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesperson, declared the referral marked total victory for Secretary Hegseth and the warfighter. Hegseth held a defiant press conference where he dismissed the effort as a political spectacle orchestrated by Massie. Warren Davidson, a Republican who voted with Democrats on war powers resolutions, rejected the idea of impeachment. He stated that Hegseth has been effective at restoring morale for the active-duty force.