Hegseth impeachment measure shelved after House GOP vote

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth avoided an immediate removal vote on Tuesday when House Republicans blocked a procedural measure that would have forced the chamber to consider his impeachment. The resolution was introduced by outgoing Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky. The vote ended 211 to 204, a procedural maneuver that sends the text to committee and halts the current removal effort until the next Congress.

The outcome reflects a tight calculation by the current majority. With Democrats expected to hold large majorities in both chambers after the 2026 midterm elections, House Republicans preferred to delay the formal process rather than risk a floor vote now. The decision ensures the matter remains pending in committee for at least two years.

Party lines held firm during the roll call. Massie was the only Republican to vote in favor of advancing the resolution. Kevin Kiley, an independent from California who lost his seat in last week's election, also voted against his former party. No Democrats voted to block the measure's advancement.

Massie drafted eight articles of impeachment to support his case. He accused Hegseth of violating the Constitution during military operations in Yemen, Iran, the Caribbean, the Eastern Pacific, and Venezuela. Specific charges included conducting the war in Iran without proper congressional authorization and defying a congressional vote to end that conflict. Massie also cited the dismantling of safeguards intended to distinguish civilian from military targets, which he claimed resulted in civilian deaths.

Other articles targeted what Massie called the execution of deadly boat strikes in the Americas, where at least 244 alleged narco-terrorists have been killed. He included a charge of retaliation against protected speech, arguing Hegseth began disciplinary proceedings against Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona after the senator told service members they could refuse illegal orders. Massie told reporters on Monday that the articles focused on legal violations rather than job performance.

Hegseth responded during his first press conference in more than six months. He called Massie a disgruntled and defeated congressman and described the process as a farce. The Secretary argued that no leader of the department in 250 years of history has faced impeachment for carrying out lawful operations. President Trump and Vice President Vance voiced support for Hegseth, with Trump calling his press conference an A-plus performance.

Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, supported Massie's resolution but treated the vote as a matter of individual conscience. They did not issue a formal party whip. Representative Pete Aguilar of California said Democrats would use oversight powers when they take control but noted that a new impeachment push was not currently under discussion.