Democrat Faces Scrutiny Over Missed Hegseth Impeachment Vote

A Democratic lawmaker's excuse for missing a House vote on impeaching Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is under scrutiny after a reporter claimed he arrived with time to spare. The motion to refer the impeachment articles to committee passed 211-204, effectively blocking the effort. Illinois Representative Jonathan Jackson cited a traffic incident and police-escorted bus for the delay, but TMZ's reporter alleged he saw Jackson filming a video near the vote location minutes before it closed. Jackson acknowledged missing the vote, calling it "inexcusable," while maintaining his support for Hegseth's impeachment. Eleven Democrats missed the vote, with several also citing the traffic incident. The effort failed, and President Donald Trump declared Hegseth exonerated, while the Pentagon called the vote a "total victory."