WASHINGTON, November 11, 2026 — House Republicans voted 211-204 to refer the impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Judiciary Committee, effectively killing the effort for this Congress. The vote came after a contentious debate over Hegseth’s handling of the Iran war and other alleged “high crimes” against the nation.
Impeachment Effort Fails
The impeachment resolution, introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, accused Hegseth of illegally waging war against Iran without congressional approval, ignoring laws aimed at minimizing civilian casualties, overseeing “extrajudicial killings” in strikes on drug boats, and capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro without approval. Hegseth defended his actions in a press conference on Tuesday, saying the resolution was a “farce” that “mocks the Constitution” and “criminalizes the war fighters who execute lawful orders.”
Reaction and Fallout
President Donald Trump celebrated the vote on Truth Social, calling it the “EXONERATION of a Great American Patriot” and attacking Massie as a “TOTAL LOSER!” The Pentagon declared “total victory,” with spokesperson Sean Parnell stating that the referral “marks total victory for Secretary Hegseth, the Department of War, and the American warfighter.” Massie acknowledged that his bid may not succeed immediately but argued it could push Trump to replace Hegseth before Democrats launch their own impeachment process.
What’s Next
Democrats will take control of both chambers of Congress in January, and with a simple majority required for impeachment in the House, they could approve articles without Republican support if enough members back the effort. This could make Hegseth the third Cabinet secretary in American history to be impeached. Massie’s effort failed in a 211-204 vote, with 11 Democrats absent. The move to send the measure to the Judiciary Committee effectively kills the effort for now, but Democrats can revive it when they take control in January. By nightfall, the impeachment effort had been declared dead, but the issue is far from over.
Sources
- BREAKING: House Republicans block Hegseth impeachment effort in 211 to 204 vote
- House Republicans Block Hegseth Impeachment, but Democrats Could Revive Effort in 2027
- House Republicans block effort to impeach Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth
- House GOP blocks move to impeach Hegseth, handing embattled Defense secretary a win
- US House blocks bid to impeach Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, for now
Photo: U.S. Secretary of Defense (Public domain)
