Hegseth impeachment fails in House

House Republicans voted Tuesday to block a resolution that would have impeached Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The measure targeted his conduct in office and his handling of the war against Iran. The vote ended in a near party-line split, with most Republicans standing by the secretary.

Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky led the effort. He was joined by all Democrats in the chamber. The resolution did not pass, but the move may only delay an impeachment push. Democrats are set to take control of both the House and Senate in January.

Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, backed the initiative. He stated that Hegseth has abused his power and undermined America’s national security. Jeffries is expected to become the next speaker when Democrats assume their majority.

The vote came as Republicans grappled with the fallout from sweeping midterm losses. Some party members blamed the war in Iran and the resulting surge in gas prices for the defeat. President Trump signaled strong support for Hegseth before the vote. That backing helped secure the bloc of Republican votes needed to kill the measure.

Democrats held 255 seats in the House before the new term began, marking their widest majority in decades. In the Senate, Democrats could reach 56 seats once counting concludes in Alaska and Mississippi. More than a dozen House and Senate races remained undetermined one week after Election Day.

Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio won a party contest to lead House Republicans in the minority. He defeated Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana in a secret-ballot election. The final tally was 106 to 73. Jordan, 62, serves as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and co-founded the House Freedom Caucus.

His victory positions him to guide a historically small Republican conference. The party is beginning to grapple with its loss of power for Trump’s final two years in office. Leading the party back to a House majority in 2028 will be a stiff climb given the scope of Democratic victories.

Sen. Bernie Sanders said he will not support Sen. Chuck Schumer as the next Democratic majority leader. Sanders made the announcement at a news conference at the Capitol alongside Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan. They called for a new generation of leadership and a vigorous debate about the party’s direction.

Sanders, the independent from Vermont, said, “The time is now for change. And I will not be supporting Chuck to be reelected as the Democratic leader.” Slotkin, who is not actively seeking the job herself, explained that she wants potential Senate leaders to present a full plan about the new majority’s priorities. She added, “I’m a no until and unless I see that from anyone.”

In a separate development, a private note from Trump to Biden was revealed in a new memoir. The letter, handwritten in black Sharpie on White House stationery, was addressed “To ‘46’” to denote Biden’s place as the 46th U.S. president. Trump had privately lauded the incoming president, believing he would “be true to yourself and the American people.” Biden’s memoir, “Promise Me, America,” is slated for release on November 17.