Democrat-led impeachment effort against Trump collapses as key supporters withdraw their backing, leaving the resolution with just a single co-sponsor.
Quick Takes
- Three Democratic Representatives have withdrawn their support from Rep. Shri Thanedar’s resolution to impeach Donald Trump
- The Representatives withdrew after discovering the resolution had not been legally vetted or approved by party leadership
- Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois is now the only remaining co-sponsor of the impeachment resolution
- Democratic leadership has indicated they won’t support the proposal without Republican backing
Democrats Retreat from Impeachment Push
A resolution to impeach President Donald Trump introduced by Democratic Representative Shri Thanedar of Michigan has lost significant momentum as three Democratic Representatives have formally requested removal of their names from the proposal. Representatives Kweisi Mfume of Maryland, Robin Kelly of Illinois, and Jerry Nadler of New York have all withdrawn their support, leaving Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois as the only remaining co-sponsor. The House clerk has officially granted the requests to remove their names from the resolution.
The original resolution accused President Trump of serious offenses including bribery, corruption, and what Thanedar described as “tyrannical overreach.” However, the rapid dissolution of support suggests significant concerns about the measure’s viability. According to a spokesperson for Rep. Mfume, the withdrawal stemmed from discovering the proposal had not been properly vetted legally or cleared by Democratic leadership, contrary to what supporters had initially believed.
Confusion Among Democratic Ranks
The sudden withdrawal of support highlights confusion within Democratic ranks regarding the impeachment strategy. A spokesperson for Rep. Kelly revealed that she had withdrawn her support after learning the resolution had not been reviewed by the House Judiciary Committee or party leadership as she had initially understood. This miscommunication suggests a lack of coordination within the party on this high-profile initiative and raises questions about the process through which the resolution was introduced.
Despite the setbacks, Rep. Thanedar has indicated he intends to proceed with the impeachment effort. He maintains that Trump violated the Constitution and that these alleged violations warrant formal impeachment proceedings. The resolution cited seven articles of impeachment covering various allegations against the president. However, the loss of support from key Democrats, including Rep. Nadler who played a significant role in previous impeachment proceedings, severely undermines the credibility of the current effort.
Leadership Dismisses Impeachment Strategy
House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Pete Aguilar has made it clear that Democrats would not support the impeachment proposal, citing the lack of Republican backing as a primary reason. This position from party leadership effectively signals that the impeachment resolution has no path forward in the current Congress. The timing of the resolution is also notable, coinciding with the 100-day mark of Trump’s second term campaign, suggesting possible political motivations behind the effort.
The collapse of this impeachment initiative demonstrates the challenges Democrats face in developing a coherent strategy regarding Trump. With only one co-sponsor remaining and without support from party leadership, Thanedar’s resolution appears to be a symbolic gesture rather than a serious legislative effort. The quick withdrawal of support by three prominent Democrats also raises questions about the vetting process for such significant resolutions and the communication channels within the Democratic caucus.
Sources:
- 3 House Democrats ask to be removed from Trump impeachment resolution
- 3 Democrats ask to be removed from resolution to impeach Trump
