House Blocks Massie's Hegseth Impeachment Effort as Trump Praises Defense Secretary at Arlington

Since Massie introduced impeachment articles against Hegseth on the House floor Monday, Nov. 9, the effort has been blocked, and the argument has moved from the Capitol to Arlington National Cemetery.

The House on Tuesday night stopped the Kentucky Republican's push. Lawmakers voted 211 to 204 to refer the impeachment resolution to the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee, where it is unlikely to advance. The procedural vote prevents the House from immediately debating and voting on the resolution itself. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell called the referral "TOTAL VICTORY" for Hegseth. Massie had said a procedural vote to table the measure would likely come first.

What Massie's articles allege

The resolution accuses Hegseth of abusing his office by launching the Iran war without congressional approval and ignoring laws meant to minimize civilian casualties. Massie also pointed to Hegseth's role in military action in Yemen and Venezuela.

Massie has argued the conduct amounts to "high crimes and misdemeanors." House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called himself a "hard yes" on impeachment and said Hegseth "abused his power" and was the "architect of the reckless and costly failed war of choice in Iran." Sen. Chuck Schumer said "Hegseth must stand trial before the Senate."

Speaker Mike Johnson opposed the move. Impeachment "in the middle of hostilities abroad would be a terrible, terrible look," Johnson said, "a terrible thing for our allies and our enemies to see that."

Hegseth's defense

Hegseth held his first news conference in more than 180 days on Tuesday. He called the effort a "farce" and "political spectacle" driven by "one disgruntled and defeated congressman" with "personal animus" toward Trump.

"None of these are high crimes or misdemeanors," Hegseth said. "They're partisan policy disagreements from people who want to politicize our military."

He claimed the effort is only a first step toward actions against service members who took part in strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean. He also noted the House never moved to impeach his predecessor, Lloyd Austin.

Hegseth maintains the war was necessary because "someone had to confront the Iranian regime's pursuit of a nuclear weapon." He told reporters Monday that "Iran is devastated."

The GOP problem behind the vote

The impeachment push landed days after Republican midterm losses that many in the party blame on the war. Vice President JD Vance has publicly blamed the war for the losses. Asked about that, Hegseth noted Trump has said he would do it again and said, "I agree."

Trump praised Hegseth at a Veterans Day event at Arlington today, Nov. 11. "He's done a fantastic job," he said. Trump also said Tuesday on Truth Social that Hegseth earned an "'A' PLUS, PLUS, PLUS" and called Massie a "TOTAL LOSER."

Some Democrats who missed the key procedural vote blamed a traffic jam in Washington. Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic Senate candidate, said absent Democrats should "show up and do your job."

The war itself

Trump said at Arlington that "America did not start a war with Iran," arguing Iran "has been waging war on America since 1979." He said the U.S. "won" but wants "total victory," adding that it will take Iran 25 years to rebuild.

Tehran is not signaling that it is finished. Gen. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said that if the U.S. attacks Pickaxe Mountain, Iran will target all U.S. bases, including those in European countries. He said a new war would last no more than four to five days, according to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB.

The U.S. says it is enforcing a naval blockade of Iran's Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman ports. Iran claims control of the Strait of Hormuz. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy counted 37 ships struck in October, the highest monthly total since the war began.

The UAE said an Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Logistics and Services vessel was damaged in an attack Tuesday. Brent crude rose 71 cents, or 0.78%, to $92.20 a barrel early Wednesday in Asia after two-month lows the prior session. West Texas Intermediate rose 49 cents to $86.53.

Threats against U.S. officials

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has moved with his family onto a military base after Iranian threats against his life, a senior administration official told Fox News Digital. The official said the threats "reached more than an advanced stage." A Treasury spokesperson confirmed the move and said Bessent will "not be deterred by the Iranian regime's threats." The official did not say when he moved.

Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres and IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi, asking them to condemn a U.S. offer of up to $20 million and possible relocation for information on Iran's nuclear program. He warned it could encourage espionage and threaten nuclear scientists and facilities.

What comes next

The impeachment articles now sit with the Judiciary Committee, where they are unlikely to advance. Massie is leaving Congress in January. Whether Trump orders new strikes, including on Pickaxe Mountain, is the open question in a war whose status remains unclear.