U.S. House Blocks Hegseth Impeachment Effort in 211–204 Vote

The U.S. House voted 211–204 on Tuesday evening in Washington to refer an impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Judiciary Committee, blocking its advance on the floor. Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who sponsored the resolution, was the only Republican to vote against the referral. Massie announced the renewed impeachment effort on November 9 and set out eight charges. Three concern the Iran war: he alleges that Hegseth began hostilities without congressional authorization, continued them despite a congressional direction to withdraw, and exceeded the withdrawal deadlines in the War Powers Resolution. Massie serves on the Judiciary Committee. The other charges concern civilian protections, lethal operations against suspected drug traffickers, alleged retaliation against Senator Mark Kelly, the seizure of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores in Venezuela, and military operations in Yemen. Hegseth defended the operations earlier Tuesday at the Pentagon. In a statement published by the White House, he said they were lawful, ordered by President Donald Trump and notified to Congress. “This is not patriotism; this is sabotage,” Hegseth said of the impeachment push. He argued that disagreements over policy should be addressed through legislation, debate and elections.