House Votes to Refer Articles of Impeachment Against Pete Hegseth to Committee

By EmailTrump National & Politics Desk • November 11, 2026 • Source reporting: npr.org

In a surprise move, the House voted 211 to 204 to refer the articles of impeachment filed against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to committee, effectively killing the impeachment effort spearheaded by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. The vote short-circuits any potential floor vote on the articles of impeachment, and virtually guarantees the measure will not be taken up before the current session of Congress expires.

At a Glance

The House voted to refer the articles of impeachment to committee, effectively killing the impeachment effort.
The vote was led by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who reintroduced the articles of impeachment on Monday.
The impeachment effort was sparked by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's actions in the war with Iran and U.S. strikes against Iran and alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean.

Impeachment Effort Led by Rep. Thomas Massie

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., reintroduced the articles of impeachment on Monday, accusing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of high crimes and misdemeanors in connection to the war with Iran and U.S. strikes against Iran and alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean. Massie's impeachment resolution sought to oust Hegseth over the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro without congressional authorization, and the effort to punish Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., for a video telling service members they can refuse illegal orders.

Massie's impeachment effort was met with opposition from House Republicans, who voted to refer the articles of impeachment to committee. The vote was seen as a surprise move, as it effectively killed the impeachment effort and prevented a potential floor vote on the articles of impeachment.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Defends Himself

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended himself against the impeachment effort during a rare press conference at the Pentagon on Tuesday, criticizing Massie as a 'disgruntled and defeated congressman.' Hegseth stated that he stands behind every one of the operations, and would do it again tomorrow.

Hegseth's defense was met with support from President Trump, who expressed his support for Hegseth during a wide-ranging, impromptu press briefing at the White House on Monday. Trump stated that he would stand by Hegseth, and that Hegseth had won two wars.

Wider Context and Next Steps

The impeachment effort against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is not the first attempt to oust him from office. Massie first sought to bring the impeachment resolution to the floor before the midterm elections, prompting Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to call an early recess to avoid the vote. That caused the resolution to expire, which is why Massie reintroduced the resolution again this week.

While the impeachment push may be quelled for now, Hegseth's troubles on Capitol Hill are not over. Democrats have promised vigorous investigations into Hegseth's Pentagon once they assume the majority in January. Whether they will mount another impeachment effort remains unclear, but in an interview with NPR last week, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, who is expected to be the next Speaker of the House, stated that Democrats will continue to hold Hegseth accountable for his actions.

What to Watch Next

The vote to refer the articles of impeachment to committee marks a significant development in the ongoing saga of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's tenure. As the current session of Congress expires, it is unclear what the future holds for Hegseth. However, one thing is certain: the impeachment effort has sparked a heated debate over the role of the Defense Secretary and the limits of congressional authority.

As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the fate of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hangs in the balance. Will he be able to weather the storm, or will the impeachment effort ultimately lead to his ouster? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the drama is far from over.