A Democrat lawmaker's excuse for missing a House vote amid an effort to impeach Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Tuesday has come under scrutiny. A motion to refer Republican Representative Thomas Massie's eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth succeeded by a 211-204 vote on Tuesday. This sent the matter back to committee and in effect, blocked the effort.
Eleven lawmakers, including those who had supported the effort, missed the vote. Illinois Representative Jonathan Jackson said in a statement on social media that while en route to the floor, “A traffic incident and a police-escorted bus caused a delay that resulted in the vote closing before I, along with other Members, could reach the chamber. I have since entered my NO vote in the Congressional Record.” “I remain firm in my position that Secretary Hegseth must be held accountable and impeached,” Jackson said.
However, reporting from TMZ has prompted scrutiny over Jackson’s account of events. Charlie Cotton, the outlet’s Washington, D.C. reporter, claimed to have seen Jackson “at the vote, with time to spare.” “I saw Jonathan Jackson, filming a social media video about the Hegseth impeachment. And that would have been at about 5:57, 5:58 p.m.
The Hegseth impeachment vote did not close until 6:05 p.m. And he was on the steps like, that’s where the vote is. Just go inside, you’re right there.
So what happened in that time, I don’t know, but the traffic jam thing, it’s not the truth, or it’s not the whole truth,” Cotton alleged. TMZ did not publish a photo or video of Jackson present at the vote, and Newsweek has not independently verified their account. TMZ also shared a video of them speaking to Jackson the day after he had missed the vote.
Cotton asked, “I had seen you having arrived on the steps with minutes to spare. So, I’m sorry to put you in a tricky position, but, I’ve got to know: why didn’t you vote?” “I missed the vote, there was a traffic jam that was there. It’s inexcusable; let’s not make an excuse for it.
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