House Shelves Hegseth Impeachment in 211-204 Vote as Democrats Await Power

The House has voted 211-204 to send an impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Judiciary Committee, a procedural step that effectively derails a planned vote on formal charges, according to SBS. Vox reported that the move functionally dooms the resolution for now.

The vote largely followed party lines. Vox reported that Rep. Thomas Massie, the Kentucky Republican who wrote the articles, was the only Republican who sided with Democrats against the referral. Reports differ on the day: Vox described a Tuesday evening vote, while SBS said Wednesday.

What Massie and his allies argued

Massie filed eight articles of impeachment on Monday, and Vox reported that Hegseth had faced a possible vote as early as the following day. Three of the articles accuse Hegseth of waging war in Iran in violation of the War Powers Resolution, the law that requires congressional consultation and oversight of U.S. military action. Vox noted that the war is now in its eighth month.

The other articles, as Vox described them, accuse Hegseth of:

disregarding laws meant to limit civilian casualties;
carrying out extrajudicial killings through missile strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific;
trying to retaliate against Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, over a video in which Democratic lawmakers reminded service members of their duty to refuse illegal orders;
kidnapping former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife earlier this year;
waging an unlawful war in Yemen last year.

How Hegseth and the White House responded

Hegseth rejected the effort in a speech that Trump praised, SBS reported. He called the impeachment attempt a “political spectacle” driven by ego and resentment. After the House vote, Trump posted on Truth Social that the result exonerated Hegseth, whom he described as a great American patriot.

Vox reported that Hegseth survived with the backing of Trump, Vice President JD Vance and newly installed White House chief of staff Stephen Miller. SBS reported that Trump named Miller to the post after the midterms, replacing Susie Wiles.

Why it matters: the fight may only be postponed

The referral does not end the matter. Vox reported that Hegseth could face another impeachment effort in the new year, when Democrats take over the House with, in Vox’s assessment, more than enough votes to pass articles. Vox said there would not be enough votes in the Senate to convict and remove him.

If the House did impeach him, Hegseth would become the third Cabinet secretary in history to be impeached, and the second in less than three years, according to Vox.

SBS reported that Democrats have so far secured 255 House seats to the Republicans’ 167, though some races have not been called. In the Senate, Democrats have 54 seats to Republicans’ 44. Republicans still hold the majority in both chambers until Democrats take control in early January.

David Smith, an associate professor at the United States Studies Centre, told SBS that the push reflects how much Republicans blame the Iran war for their midterm losses. He said disillusioned Republicans who, like Massie, are leaving office may “make a noise on their way out.” Smith added that Democrats will have limited ability to stop the war itself but are likely to use investigative powers to pressure the administration.

What happens next

The resolution now sits with the Judiciary Committee, and no timeline for any action there was reported. SBS said Democratic committee leaders are already drafting an oversight agenda aimed at the administration and major corporations. Rep. Robert Garcia, expected to chair the House Oversight Committee, posted a message telling Republicans to get lawyers. Sen. Ron Wyden, expected to lead the Senate Finance Committee, posted one word: subpoenas.

SBS also reported that Trump signaled last week he might work with congressional Democrats but has since said he plans to be “Mr Veto,” a reference to his power to reject bills passed by Congress.

Earlier on Around Prague: Trump Impeachment After the Midterms: Democrats Would Need 13 Republican Senators

Around Prague, based on reporting by Vox, SBS

Cover photo: U.S. Secretary of Defense / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)

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