House Republicans block effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Summary

On Tuesday evening, House Republicans voted 211 to 204 to refer a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Judiciary Committee, effectively blocking the effort. Rep. Thomas Massie, the Republican who sponsored the resolution, was the lone no vote. Axios reports that Massie alleged Hegseth defied Congress and illegally continued the US war in Iran. The vote came days after Republicans lost control of the Senate and House in the midterm elections. Speaker Mike Johnson had sent lawmakers home early to campaign, which spared Republicans from going on record on the issue before Election Day. The administration issued a statement opposing the effort shortly before the vote, and Vance said on X that whether Hegseth committed impeachable crimes is absurd. Trump has signaled continued support for Hegseth. Axios reports the vote effectively kills any effort to impeach Hegseth this Congress, though Democrats are expected to force the issue again when they take majorities in January.

Timeline

1. RTÉ

   10 Nov 2026, 14:28 UTCSource ↗

   RTÉ reports that House Republicans blocked an effort to impeach Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over the Iran war, handing Donald Trump a victory days after his party's midterm election defeat.

2. Axios

   10 Nov 2026, 23:06 UTCSource ↗

   Axios reports that House Republicans voted 211-204 on Tuesday evening to refer Massie's resolution to impeach Hegseth back to committee, with Massie the lone no vote, and that the vote effectively kills any impeachment effort this Congress.

3. Middle East Eye

   10 Nov 2026, 23:51 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that the House voted 211 to 204 to send the impeachment resolution to the Judiciary Committee, effectively derailing a planned Wednesday vote on whether to bring formal charges against Hegseth.

4. The Guardian

   10 Nov 2026, 23:56 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that House Republicans rejected allegations that Hegseth repeatedly violated the constitution through his handling of the Iran war and other conflicts, a week after Republicans lost control of Congress in the worst midterm election in more than a half century.

5. The Hindu

   11 Nov 2026, 00:03 UTCSource ↗

   The Hindu reports that the House voted 211 to 204 to send the impeachment resolution to the Judiciary Committee, halting the immediate impeachment drive but not preventing Democrats from reviving it after they take control of Congress in January.

6. NDTV

   11 Nov 2026, 00:34 UTCSource ↗

   NDTV reports that the House on Tuesday turned aside a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

7. The Times of Israel

   11 Nov 2026, 03:27 UTCSource ↗

   The Times of Israel reports that the vote may only delay the impeachment push until Democrats take charge of Congress, that Hegseth slammed the effort as sabotage, and that Trump called the GOP lawmaker who submitted the resolution a TOTAL LOSER.