House Republicans shut down an attempt to impeach Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Friday, voting to refer the resolution to committee in a move that stalls the effort until at least the next Congress.
The 211-204 vote followed a push by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Democratic lawmakers to remove Hegseth over his handling of military engagements with Iran and the extraction of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. The resolution now heads to the House Judiciary Committee, where it is unlikely to advance.
Unusual Alliances Form in Vote
Massie broke with his party to support the impeachment effort, while Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-CA) sided with Republicans in opposing it, according to congressional reporters. The procedural vote effectively ends immediate threats to Hegseth’s position despite lingering GOP frustrations over foreign policy decisions.
Vance Blasts ‘Political Spectacle’
Vice President JD Vance slammed the impeachment push as performative politics in a fiery social media statement. “Has Pete Hegseth committed impeachable crimes? The question is absurd and the answer is: obviously not,” Vance wrote. He accused Congress of substituting impeachment theatrics for substantive policymaking.
Hegseth had earlier dismissed the effort during a press conference, calling it “a personal manifesto driven by ego and resentment” rather than legitimate oversight. The secretary defended his actions in Iran and Venezuela as necessary national security measures.
The failed impeachment attempt highlights ongoing tensions within the GOP over military interventionism, with some members increasingly vocal about reining in executive war powers.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/11/10/house-republicans-reject-impeachment-effort-against-hegseth/