AI Image
Democrat’s Excuse for Missing Hegseth Impeachment Vote Under Scrutiny
Newsweek • • nation
Key Points:
- A House vote to refer Republican Rep. Thomas Massie's eight articles of impeachment against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth back to committee passed 211-204, effectively blocking the impeachment effort.
- Eleven Democratic lawmakers, including Illinois Rep. Jonathan Jackson, missed the vote, with several citing a traffic incident and police-escorted bus as reasons for their absence; Jackson’s explanation has come under scrutiny after TMZ reported seeing him near the chamber with time to vote.
- Despite missing the vote, Jackson and others expressed firm support for impeaching Hegseth, while some Democrats criticized their colleagues for not showing up to vote.
- President Donald Trump and the Pentagon hailed the vote outcome as a victory, with Trump declaring Hegseth "exonerated" and the Pentagon calling the impeachment articles "baseless" and a "sham."
- The House Judiciary Committee will now consider the referral, where the Pentagon expects the matter to be resolved in Hegseth’s favor.
