House blocks Hegseth impeachment, but Democrats may revive it

House votes to block Hegseth impeachment

The Republican-led House voted two hundred eleven to two hundred four on Tuesday to defeat a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over unauthorized military hostilities in Iran, Venezuela and Yemen.

Massie's eight articles of impeachment

Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a Republican who has clashed with Trump, introduced eight articles accusing Hegseth of violating the Constitution, conducting unauthorized military operations and abusing the powers of his office.

Massie's case against Hegseth

Massie argued Hegseth repeatedly exceeded his legal authority in directing military operations and disregarded congressional restrictions on the use of force. He said Hegseth had broken laws and violated the Constitution.

“We're not indicting him for being bad at his job. The argument here is that he's broken laws and he's violated the Constitution.”

Hegseth rejects the allegations

Hegseth dismissed the impeachment effort as the work of a disgruntled and defeated congressman. His spokesman Sean Parnell said the Pentagon had acted lawfully and Hegseth intended to remain in office through Trump's term.

Trump stands firmly behind Hegseth

Trump said he would stand by Hegseth if the House impeached him. On social media Monday night, Trump urged lawmakers to defend Hegseth, posting Congress, stand up for Pete.

“Yeah I'll stand by him.”

The eight articles explained

Three articles focused on Iran, accusing Hegseth of initiating the conflict without congressional authorization and violating statutory deadlines for withdrawing American forces.

Retaliation against Senator Kelly

One article accuses Hegseth of retaliating against Sen.Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat and retired Navy captain, after Kelly participated in a video reminding service members they were not obligated to follow illegal orders.

Democrats plan to revive impeachment

Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the election. When the new Congress convenes on January third, they will have an opportunity to revive the impeachment effort with a simple majority vote.

Hegseth could become third impeached Cabinet secretary

If Democrats impeach Hegseth, he would be only the third Cabinet secretary in American history to be impeached, following William Belknap in eighteen seventy-six and Alejandro Mayorkas in twenty twenty-four.

Senate trial could follow impeachment

A Democratic impeachment would raise the prospect of a Senate trial soon after Democrats take control of the chamber, forcing lawmakers in both parties to confront allegations of unlawful military conduct at a time when…