# Johnson sends Congress home to dodge Hegseth impeachment vote

> The Speaker called an early recess to avoid a vote on impeaching the Defense Secretary over the Iran war.
- Title: Johnson sends Congress home to dodge Hegseth impeachment vote
- Summary: The Speaker called an early recess to avoid a vote on impeaching the Defense Secretary over the Iran war. House Speaker Mike Johnson sent Congress home a day…
- Keywords: mike johnson, pete hegseth, thomas massie, impeachment, house of representatives, congress, iran war, war powers resolution, rashida tlaib, midterm elections, recess, Johnson
- Source: Mother Jones — https://motherjones.com/politics/2026/09/johnson-hegseth-massie-impeachment-congress-recess-vote
- Author: Sophie Hurwitz
- Published: 2026-09-16T15:43:21+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: mike johnson, pete hegseth, thomas massie, impeachment, house of representatives, congress, iran war, war powers resolution, rashida tlaib, midterm elections, recess
## Congress sent home early
Speaker Mike Johnson announced Wednesday that Congress would leave a day early for its seven-week recess. This canceled a scheduled impeachment vote against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
## Massie's impeachment articles
Rep. Thomas Massie introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth over his conduct during the Iran war. The Kentucky Republican's 34-page resolution cited violations of the War Powers Resolution.
## Charges of unlawful war
Massie accused Hegseth of knowingly executing unlawful orders to initiate war without congressional authorization. He also charged the Secretary with acting contrary to his constitutional trust.

> knowingly executed and implemented unlawful orders to initiate war against a foreign nation notwithstanding the absence of congressional authorization
## Bipartisan support emerges
The libertarian Massie found support across the aisle. Rep. Rashida Tlaib said Hegseth presided over civilian slaughter and genocide, adding he belongs in The Hague.

> has presided over the slaughter of thousands of civilians in immoral wars, aided and abetted genocide, and led a campaign of extrajudicial assassinations
## Johnson calls it a stunt
The Speaker dismissed the impeachment as a publicity stunt by someone seeking attention. He said the articles would be immediately tabled and accused Massie of playing games with national security.

> a publicity stunt by someone who wants attention. It will immediately be tabled, of course….We should not be playing games with national security.
## Hegseth stays silent
Hegseth hasn't commented on his potential impeachment. The Pentagon said the entire Department is unified behind the Secretary's vision to put warfighters and America first.

> entire Department is unified behind the Secretary's vision and will continue working to put our warfighters and America first
## Key takeaway

House Speaker Mike Johnson sent Congress home a day early to prevent a vote on impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over his conduct during the Iran war.