Democrats face test after Hegseth impeachment fails

Democrats fail first test

The House could not advance an impeachment effort against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Eleven Democrats were absent from the vote, blocking the measure from moving forward.

The math that would have worked

If the eleven absent Democrats had voted and no additional Republicans showed up, the impeachment effort would have advanced. The absence proved decisive in the outcome.

Only one Republican supported it

Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky led the impeachment effort and was the only Republican to support it, despite an election that saw GOP losses partly due to the Iran war.

Pelosi would have managed it

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was known for strict caucus discipline and would not have moved forward without the votes. She was one of the eleven who did not vote for advancing the impeachment.

Jeffries faces high expectations

Hakeem Jeffries, the heir apparent Democratic leader, will have the largest majority in Congress since the early nineteen nineties. His leadership will be scrutinized and compared to Pelosi.

What voters actually want

A Reuters slash Ipsos poll found eight in ten people think Democrats should focus on cost of living in the first one hundred days. Only forty percent said investigating Trump should be a priority.

The base wants accountability

Seventy one percent of Democrats want investigating the Trump administration to be a first one hundred days focus. Only thirty six percent of independents said the same.

Impeachment divides the party

Only thirty three percent of all voters think pursuing Trump impeachment would be good for the country. Sixty three percent of Democrats agree it would be good, but only thirty percent of independents do.

The effort backfired

The Hegseth impeachment attempt strengthened his position within the administration. The White House and Republicans rallied around him, and it gave Republicans a chance to go on offense.

Jeffries controls the agenda

When asked if Democrats would impeach more Trump officials, Jeffries said, "We will cross that bridge when we get to it." A House speaker builds the legislative bridges and controls the agenda.

“We will cross that bridge when we get to it.”

Democrats must prove competence

Democrats have majorities in both chambers but must balance accountability with voter priorities on cost of living and the war. Only forty seven percent of voters think Democrats focus on important issues.