Procedural House votes effectively end impeachment effort against Pete Hegseth—for now

Procedural vote blocks next step

House Republicans blocked a procedural step Tuesday that would have allowed lawmakers to vote on the accusations against Hegseth. The House instead voted 211-204 to refer the impeachment articles to the Judiciary Committee, effectively killing the effort.

Republicans remain in control of the House until the next Congress convenes in January. The articles had to pass the procedural vote before the House could consider them directly.

Massie’s effort and earlier attempt

Massie, a vocal critic of Trump, introduced impeachment articles against Hegseth in September over the Iran war. House Speaker Mike Johnson recessed the House early at that time, and lawmakers did not vote on the measure.

Before Tuesday’s vote, Massie said some colleagues backed only some of the eight articles. He wrote on X that, if the referral motion failed and the House proceeded, he would request a separate vote on each article.

Hegseth defends military actions

The accusations against Hegseth include claims that he unlawfully waged war with Iran, among other alleged illegal wartime actions. Hegseth said operations involving Iran, cartels, Maduro and Yemen were lawful, ordered by the commander-in-chief and then by him, and notified to Congress. Critics on social media accused him of suggesting he was “just following orders,” with some comparing that argument to Nazi leaders convicted of war crimes at the Nuremberg Trials.

Trump backs Hegseth

At a surprise Monday news conference with Dana White, the UFC president, Trump called Massie a “stone-cold loser.” Trump said he would stand by Hegseth even if the defense secretary were impeached. Massie lost his primary election earlier this year to a Trump-backed opponent, who later won the general election. As a result, Massie will not be at the Capitol to see how the effort proceeds.