The U.S. House of Representatives approved a motion on November 10 to refer a resolution seeking Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s impeachment to the Judiciary Committee. The motion passed 211-204, with 18 members not voting, according to the House Clerk’s official roll call.
The vote concerned where to send the resolution, not whether Hegseth should be impeached. The measure, H. Res. 1655, was introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky and contains eight articles of impeachment.
Resolution alleges abuse of power and unauthorized war
The articles include allegations that Hegseth waged war against Iran without congressional authorization and abused his authority as head of the Pentagon. They also address strikes on boats allegedly involved in drug smuggling in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, and the 2025 conflict with Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis.
Massie further accused Hegseth of suppressing free speech in connection with an effort to punish Democratic Senator Mark Kelly. Kelly had appeared in a video urging military and intelligence personnel to refuse illegal orders.
Hegseth called the impeachment effort a “farce” during a Pentagon press conference and defended the military operations conducted under President Donald Trump, Euronews reported. Trump also voiced support for Hegseth on Truth Social, while Vice President JD Vance said Hegseth had not committed impeachable offences.
The House vote advances the resolution for committee consideration; it does not itself establish that Hegseth committed wrongdoing or remove him from office.
Nicole French