Hegseth Impeachment Bid Stalls as 11 Democrats Miss House Vote

The resolution accuses Hegseth of violating the War Powers Act through his role in President Donald Trump’s war on Iran and of responsibility for alleged war crimes. It cites a February missile strike on an elementary school in Minab that killed 156 people, at least 120 of them children. It also alleges extrajudicial killings of at least 221 people aboard vessels accused of smuggling narcotics, the invasion of Venezuela and kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, an illegal war in Yemen that killed hundreds of civilians, and suppression of free speech at the Pentagon.

The 11 absent Democrats were Julia Brownley, Lou Correa, Laura Gillen, Steven Horsford, Jonathan Jackson, Nancy Pelosi, Brittany Pettersen, Melanie Stansbury, Haley Stevens, Marilyn Strickland and Frederica Wilson. Correa is recovering from an undisclosed medical procedure and cannot travel. Seven Republicans also missed the vote. Observers said that with more Democrats present, the resolution might have remained alive.

Jeffries supports impeaching Hegseth. Author Jared Yates Sexton criticized him on Bluesky, while Migrant Insider editor Pablo Manríquez described the Democrats as having “a serious leadership problem.” Zeteo reporter Prem Thakker also questioned how Jeffries could seek to lead the party after failing to get enough Democrats to attend the vote. Writer Laura Bassett said Jeffries had told members to “vote their conscience” and had not whipped the vote.

Hegseth called the impeachment effort a “farce” and “political spectacle,” saying the allegations were partisan policy disagreements, not high crimes or misdemeanors. He said he stood behind the actions listed in the resolution and “would do it again tomorrow.” Asked by Politico’s Riley Rogerson about the absences, Jeffries said he had not spoken with the floor team about what happened, adding: “This is not the end of it. It’s just the beginning.” Democrats have said they may renew the impeachment effort when they control Congress.