Democratic lawmakers expressed outrage at nearly a dozen of their colleagues for missing a vote Tuesday evening to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, allowing Republicans to defeat the effort by just seven votes.
At a Glance
- Eleven Democrats missed the key procedural vote on the impeachment effort.
- The missing Democrats gave House Republicans the numbers to shelve the impeachment effort by voting 211 – 204 to refer eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth to a House committee.
- The impeachment effort came after voters overwhelmingly cast ballots for Democratic candidates in the 2026 midterms, largely in rebuke of the Trump administration's policies – including the war in Iran.
Impeachment Effort Fails Due to Absent Democrats
The impeachment effort against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth failed due to the absence of nearly a dozen Democrats, who missed the key procedural vote on Tuesday evening. The vote, which was held in the House of Representatives, resulted in a 211-204 vote to refer eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth to a House committee.
The missing Democrats gave House Republicans the numbers to shelve the impeachment effort, allowing them to defeat the effort by just seven votes. The impeachment effort came after voters overwhelmingly cast ballots for Democratic candidates in the 2026 midterms, largely in rebuke of the Trump administration's policies – including the war in Iran.
Democrats Express Outrage at Absent Colleagues
Democratic lawmakers expressed outrage at their absent colleagues, with some accusing them of failing to do their job. Abdul El-Sayed, the senator-elect of Michigan, said on CNN that the absent Democrats 'should show up and do their job.'
Richard Ojeda, the representative-elect of North Carolina, also criticized the absent Democrats, saying that they 'failed' by not voting. He added that 'shame on them for not showing up' and that the impeachment effort was 'important' and 'should have been done.'
Trump Praises Hegseth Amid Impeachment Effort
Speaking at Arlington National Cemetery to mark Veterans Day, President Donald Trump praised Hegseth, saying that he had done a 'fantastic job' as the Pentagon head. Trump added that Hegseth 'loves you, and he protects you – he's all about you.'
The president's comments came as the impeachment effort against Hegseth was underway in the House of Representatives. The effort was introduced by Republican Thomas Massie, who included charges of violating congressional authority by waging war in Iran.
What's Next for the Impeachment Effort?
The failure of the impeachment effort against Hegseth has left many wondering what's next for the effort. The articles of impeachment will now be referred to a House committee, where they will be reviewed and potentially voted on again.
The outcome of the impeachment effort is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the absence of nearly a dozen Democrats played a significant role in its failure. As the effort moves forward, it remains to be seen whether the Democrats will be able to overcome their internal divisions and succeed in their efforts to impeach Hegseth.
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