Impeachment Effort Against Donald Trump Initiated
Representative Shri Thanedar, a Democrat, took steps on Tuesday to compel a House vote concerning his proposed articles of impeachment targeting former President Donald Trump.
Thanedar formally presented his seven articles of impeachment on the House floor Tuesday afternoon, designating them as privileged.
This designation requires House Republican leadership to address the resolution within two legislative days. It is anticipated they will opt for a motion to table, which would effectively terminate the resolution.
Significance of the Move
Last month, Thanedar put forth the impeachment articles, which allege that Trump engaged in misconduct such as obstruction of justice, bribery, corruption, and autocratic overreach.
Nevertheless, since Trump’s return to office in January, few Democrats have publicly endorsed impeaching him, primarily because such measures face slim prospects of success with Republicans controlling both congressional chambers. During his initial term, Trump was impeached on two occasions but was subsequently acquitted by the Senate each time.
Key Details
Speaking from the House floor, Thanedar claimed Trump has been “committing crimes since Day One.”
He elaborated, “Bribery, corruption, usurping congressional authority, establishing an illicit office in DOGE, infringing upon First Amendment rights, disregarding due process, and ultimately, defying a unanimous Supreme Court decision.”
Thanedar further alleged, “Even as I address you in the House of Representatives, Mr. Trump is en route to the Middle East to receive a $400 million gift from a foreign power.”
He continued, “My concern is not whether this is opportune or if sufficient support exists from my colleagues on the other side. I stand here today to fulfill my obligation and honor my pledge to safeguard the Constitution.”
This action by Thanedar has reportedly upset some House Democrats, with several indicating to Axios their belief that his maneuver is intended to bolster his own standing amidst primary challenges in his Detroit-area congressional district.
Reactions
On Tuesday, Thanedar posted on X: “The moment for action is now. I urge my colleagues from both parties to endorse my Articles of Impeachment, to champion this nation, to honor their oath, and to shield the American populace. It is never inappropriate to defend our Constitution.”
Representative Brad Schneider of Illinois, who leads the New Democrat Coalition, conveyed to Axios: “Our priority must be reconciliation. Our entire focus is on addressing this.”
Earlier in May, Trump criticized the impeachment efforts in a Truth Social post, stating: “The Democrats are truly out of line. They’ve lost everything, particularly their sanity! These Radical Left Extremists are fixated on ‘Impeachment’ once more. They’ve already enlisted two obscure, disreputable Congressmen, both complete eccentrics, to bandy about the ‘Impeachment’ of DONALD J. TRUMP for roughly the 20th instance, despite having no clue what grounds they would use for Impeachment.”
Next Steps
House leadership has a deadline of Thursday to act on Thanedar’s resolution. Options include debating it, referring it to a committee, or voting to table it.