“Show Up and Do Your Job”: Abdul El-Sayed Blasts 11 Absent Democrats, Tells Pete Hegseth to Resign
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed sharply criticized 11 House Democrats who missed a procedural vote concerning Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s impeachment and urged Hegseth to resign during a CNN interview Tuesday.
Asked what he would tell the absent Democrats, El-Sayed said: “You should show up and do your job.” Addressing Hegseth, he said: “Just resign.”
What the House voted on
On November 10, the House voted 211–204 to refer eight articles of impeachment introduced by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie to the Judiciary Committee, effectively shelving immediate consideration. This was not a final impeachment vote or an exoneration. Eleven Democrats and seven Republicans did not vote; Massie was the only Republican voting against referral.
The 11 absent Democrats
They were Julia Brownley, Lou Correa, Nancy Pelosi, Laura Gillen, Steven Horsford, Jonathan Jackson, Brittany Pettersen, Melanie Stansbury, Haley Stevens, Marilyn Strickland and Frederica Wilson.
Some lawmakers cited traffic delays and security-related closures near the Capitol. Pelosi was at a veterans event in California, Correa reported a medical procedure, and Horsford’s office cited a personal emergency. Several said they supported the impeachment effort; the absences do not by themselves demonstrate coordinated opposition.
Hegseth responds
Hegseth dismissed the effort as a political stunt and defended his handling of the military campaign. President Donald Trump celebrated the procedural result, while Democrats criticized the failure to assemble enough members to defeat referral.
What happens next
The articles are now in committee. A new Congress could initiate another impeachment effort or investigate the defense secretary. Impeachment requires a House majority; removal requires conviction by two-thirds of the Senate.
Brownstone Worldwide will continue reporting on congressional oversight, the Iran war and accountability for the missed vote.
Sources: Anadolu Agency; TheWrap; Al Jazeera; CNN.
