# Hegseth’s Troubles Are Far From Over

> Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth narrowly escaped impeachment but faces uncertain future amid political fallout.
- Title: Hegseth’s Troubles Are Far From Over · Foreign Policy
- Summary: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth narrowly escaped impeachment but faces uncertain future amid political fallout. U.S.
- Keywords: u.s. defense secretary, impeachment, house of representatives, republican party, democratic party, midterm elections, iran war, venezuelan president, nicolás maduro, latin america, trump administration, pentagon
- Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/11/12/hegseth-impeachment-congress-democrats-trump
- Author: Rishi Iyengar, John Haltiwanger
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: u.s. defense secretary, impeachment, house of representatives, republican party, democratic party, midterm elections, iran war, venezuelan president, nicolás maduro, latin america, trump administration, pentagon
## Hegseth Escapes Impeachment Vote
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth narrowly escaped an impeachment effort this week as House Republicans blocked a motion to refer articles of impeachment to the House Judiciary Committee.
## House Vote Blocks Impeachment
The House voted 211 to 204 on a motion to refer impeachment articles to the House Judiciary Committee, with eleven Democrats missing the vote.
## Hegseth’s Political Vulnerability
Hegseth’s future remains uncertain as Republicans face midterm election losses driven by voter discontent over the economic consequences of the Iran war.
## Democratic Threat to Impeach
Democrats could launch another impeachment effort in a new Congress, with Rep. Hakeem Jeffries stating this is not the end of it but just the beginning.
## Senate Conviction Uncertainty
Democrats will have House votes to impeach Hegseth but are less likely to secure enough Republican Senate votes for conviction and removal.
## Hegseth Under Scrutiny
Democrats plan to investigate Hegseth on the Iran war, military operations involving Nicolás Maduro, and lethal strikes on drug-trafficking boats in Latin America.
## Republican Pressure for Resignation
Some Republicans have suggested Hegseth should resign and seek more answers on the Iran war amid growing political pressure.
## Trump’s Support for Hegseth
President Trump has backed Hegseth and signaled he does not plan to fire him, maintaining confidence in the defense secretary’s position.
## Hegseth’s Partisan Approach
Hegseth launched a campaign-style media blitz against opponents in Congress, posting on social media and delivering a fiery speech at a Pentagon press conference.
## Legal Concerns Over Messaging
Some watchdogs have suggested Hegseth’s messaging campaign may have violated federal law, raising legal questions about his actions.
## Defense Secretary’s Role
Defense secretaries are typically nonpartisan political animals who work closely with Congress, but Hegseth has been described as the most partisan defense secretary in modern times.
## Stalled National Defense Authorization Act
The National Defense Authorization Act, which sets U.S. military spending levels, is stalled in Congress despite White House pressure for a $1.5 trillion budget request.
## Trump’s Defense Spending Push
Trump called on Senate Republicans to immediately pass $350 billion in defense spending via reconciliation before Democrats take over Congress.
## Hegseth’s Future Uncertain
Hegset: The saying in the military, you don’t fight against the terrain, suggests Hegseth’s future is precarious as Democrats take over Congress.
## Hegseth’s Political Challenges
Hegseth’s political challenges include navigating a new Congress, potential impeachment, and the fallout from midterm election losses.
## Key takeaway

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth avoided impeachment this week but remains under threat of removal by Democrats in a new Congress as Republicans grapple with midterm election losses.