Speaker Johnson Delays Pete Hegseth Impeachment Vote Until November

House Speaker Mike Johnson delayed a vote on a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth until the lame-duck session beginning November 9, 2026. The postponement aims to shield Republicans from a difficult vote prior to the midterm elections.

Sponsored by Representative Thomas Massie, the resolution contains eight articles of impeachment. The charges accuse Hegseth of abuses of power regarding the war in Iran, failure to protect civilians, and the extrajudicial killing of alleged drug smugglers in international waters.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized Hegseth as the most unqualified secretary of war in American history, citing the economic burden and gas price increases resulting from the conflict in Iran. Despite this rhetoric, Democratic leadership remains divided between supporting the immediate resolution and pursuing a more deliberative investigative process. Representative Jamie Raskin advocated for sending the articles to the Judiciary Committee for formal scrutiny.

The delayed vote is expected to serve as an early post-election test for Democratic leadership, particularly if the party gains control of the House.