Hegseth Survives Impeachment Attempt

Self-proclaimed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth narrowly escaped impeachment on Tuesday night, as Republican unity prevented a bill from being introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., alleging "high crimes and misdemeanors" against Hegseth. While Democrats, buoyed by their midterm election victory, sided with Massie's charge, the House voted 211 to 204 to refer the allegations to a committee, ensuring Republicans' ability to delay the process.

With 11 Democrats absent, their votes fell short of the required majority. Massie denied the significance of Democratic absences to The Intercept, claiming, "No, there were enough Republicans to rally to get here." The procedural vote spared Republicans from a more contentious vote on whether to impeach Hegseth on eight counts, including waging wars without congressional authorization and disregarding measures to prevent civilian casualties.

This followed a week of intense efforts by Pentagon chief to secure Congressional and White House support, involving a campaign-style video intended to sway Trump, a social media push by underlings, and a rare appearance by Hegseth himself before the Pentagon press corps. Hegseth attempted to refute or obscure Massie's charges in a 30-minute spiel on Tuesday morning, asserting that the impeachment attempt was a "stunt by just one disgruntled congressman," a claim also proven false as 203 House members voted in favor of Massie.

Over 40 civil society organizations, including Oxfam America, CREW, Common Defense, Demand Progress, MoveOn, and the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, penned a letter to all House members urging them to vote for every article of impeachment filed against Hegseth. They denounced Hegseth's actions, which they claimed had caused "grievous harm to the nation and to the Constitution," citing his role in launching an illegal war in Iran, kidnapping a foreign leader for oil, relaunching war on Yemen, and weaponizing the Pentagon against a political rival.

After the vote, Massie criticized the lack of Republican action, stating, "They diagnosed why they lost the election. But tonight they were paralyzed to do anything about it. And that's the story of Congress." Notably absent from the vote were Democratic representatives Julia Brownley, Lou Correa, Nancy Pelosi, Laura Gillen, Steven Horsford, Jonathan Jackson, Brittany Pettersen, Melanie Stansbury, Haley Stevens, Marilyn Strickland, and Frederica Wilson.

A senior Congressional staffer predicted that Hegseth would face a tumultuous period if he survived impeachment, emphasizing that oversight "will come crashing down on his head." Congressional committees hold broad investigative powers, including the authority to subpoena administration officials to testify under oath and compel them to provide documents.

Rep. Adam Smith, who will head the House Armed Services Committee in the next Congress, indicated that Hegseth and Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg would be among the first to face questioning. Rep. Yassamin Ansari, a leading advocate for Hegseth's impeachment, expressed confidence that Democrats would continue to hold him accountable, potentially compelling him to testify before the American people.

She added that she expected Hegseth would not remain in the administration for the next two years. Incoming Democrat Richard Ojeda vowed to ensure Hegseth's removal, alleging he was responsible for numerous civilian casualties and expressing hope for his prosecution. President Donald Trump praised the outcome while confusing the vote as a "Democratic attempt to impeach" Hegseth, despite Massie's Republican introduction and labeling Massie a "major LOSER."