The U.S. House of Representatives rejected on Tuesday the impeachment proposal against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, pushed by rebellious Republican congressman Thomas Massie. The initiative was halted with a total of 211 votes in favor versus 204 against sending the articles of impeachment to the House Judiciary Committee, a decision that effectively prevents the impeachment from reaching a direct debate and vote on the floor, nullifying it at least for this legislative session. Despite the close vote, up to 11 Democrats and seven Republicans did not participate.
Thus, the representatives avoided addressing the substance of the accusations against the head of the Pentagon in recent weeks. The next Congress will begin on January 3, with the entire House renewed and a third of the Senate. Both will then have a significant Democratic majority, more than enough to bring this issue, and many others, back to the table.
"The Democrats' attempt to remove Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has failed spectacularly! All Republicans, except Thomas Massie, a big loser, voted in favor of Pete. Once again, victories in Venezuela and Iran, the best recruitment numbers in the history of the Armed Forces (long waiting lists to enlist!), and an unprecedented spirit led to the exoneration of a great American patriot. The Democrats continue to weaponize and abuse the United States of America. We must stop them! LET'S MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" celebrated President Trump in a message on his social media.
The impeachment has been the political news of the day in Washington. Massie's initiative, which if successful would have led to a vote tomorrow on the future of the Defense Secretary, coincided with the national celebration of Veterans Day, included eight articles of impeachment accusing Hegseth of alleged violations of the Constitution and federal law. Among the main 'charges' were U.S. involvement in military operations against Iran without Congressional authorization, the management of attacks that caused civilian casualties (especially hospitals and a school), as well as the operation in Venezuela that led to Maduro's capture or attacks in Yemen. The Republican congressman argued that the accusations were not based on political disagreements but on a long series of legal violations that, in his view, justified the removal of the Defense Secretary.
The outcome is a setback for Massie, who has only a few weeks left in office and has now exhausted all his options, and for those who sought to initiate a formal removal process against Hegseth. The White House and Republican leaders have supported the Defense Secretary, who has rejected the accusations and labeled the initiative a political maneuver, "farce," and the action of a spurned individual. However, the issue could return to the forefront of political debate in the coming months. Hegseth is the most targeted, the most controversial of Trump's cabinet members, and also the most vulnerable. Even prominent members of the Republican Party, such as Texas Senator Ted Cruz, have warned that if he does not resign, it will be almost inevitable that he will be removed. He has few friends, many enemies, and the new Democratic majority wants to start strong in January, with few things more symbolic than the head of the person responsible for the Iran War or the attacks on boats in the Caribbean that have left over 240 dead.