House Refers Hegseth Impeachment Articles to Committee

The U.S. House voted 211-204 on Tuesday to refer eight impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Judiciary Committee, blocking an immediate vote on the allegations but not deciding their merits.

The resolution, introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie, accused Hegseth of misconduct in military operations, including the war with Iran and strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels. It also addressed actions involving Venezuela and Yemen and alleged retaliation against Democratic Senator Mark Kelly. The claims remain allegations; the House did not determine whether Hegseth committed impeachable wrongdoing.

The House Clerk’s roll-call record shows 210 Republicans and one independent voted for referral, while 203 Democrats and one Republican voted against it. Eighteen members did not vote, including 11 Democrats and seven Republicans. Massie was the only Republican to oppose sending the resolution to committee.

At a Pentagon briefing before the vote, Hegseth rejected the effort as a political stunt and said the military operations cited in the articles were lawful. Vice President JD Vance also defended him, arguing that policy disagreements...