House shelves impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

The House voted 211-204 on Tuesday evening to send eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the House Judiciary Committee, effectively blocking the effort for now. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who is leaving Congress, wrote the articles; he was the only Republican to vote against the motion. Eleven Democrats did not vote. Democrats take control of the House in January.

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Why it matters

The vote keeps the House from holding a full impeachment vote on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for now. The articles centered on U.S. military action, including the Iran war, which Congress has never approved. Democrats, who take control of the House in January, say they will discuss another effort then.

What to watch

Democrats take control of the House and Senate on January 3, when they could renew the impeachment effort.

How each side sees it

Supporters of impeachment sayRep. Thomas Massie's articles accuse Hegseth of ordering military action in Iran and Yemen without authorization, attacking boats in the Caribbean and the capture of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Hegseth of abusing power and says Democrats will discuss another impeachment effort next year.

Hegseth and his defenders sayHegseth called the effort a farce and said his orders were lawful. President Trump said it "miserably failed" and praised Hegseth. House Speaker Mike Johnson had said impeaching a Cabinet secretary during hostilities "would be a terrible, terrible look."

Sources

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Published Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Spot an error? Email [email protected]. See our corrections log and standards.