Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) announced his intention to force a vote on impeaching President Donald Trump just days after a similar effort by Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) was quashed by Democratic leadership.
Green, who has a history of pursuing impeachment proceedings against Trump, is set to introduce a single article of impeachment charging the president with “causing the devolution of democracy within the United States of America into authoritarianism with himself as an authoritarian President.”
Green’s decision comes in the wake of Thanedar’s failed attempt, which saw significant pressure from within the Democratic Party to back down. Thanedar had introduced a privileged resolution containing seven articles of impeachment, but ultimately yielded to internal pressure, choosing instead to “add to my articles of impeachment and continue to rally the support.”
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House Democratic Conference chair Pete Aguilar publicly criticized Thanedar’s initiative, labeling it a “distraction” from the party’s focus on healthcare. Many other Democrats privately echoed this sentiment, with one lawmaker calling Thanedar’s actions “utterly selfish.”
Despite the strong opposition within his own party, Green remains resolute. In a letter sent to his fellow House Democrats, Green stated, “I will call for a vote to impeach authoritarian President Donald John Trump at a time to be determined.”
Green’s letter outlined his reasoning, citing Trump’s alleged “flouting of constitutional law,” “dangerous flouting of the separation of powers,” and “violations of the Fifth Amendment’s constitutional right to due process.” He argued that Trump’s actions have “devolved American democracy into authoritarianism.”
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Green’s letter states: “I cannot, in good conscience, as a Member of Congress, having said what I have said, and knowing what I know—wait until the next election to deal with authoritarian President Donald John Trump’s pre-election threat to American democracy that has become a post-election assault on our government. The President has devolved American democracy into authoritarianism, with himself as the authoritarian.”
Green also addressed the potential for internal party opposition to his efforts, saying, “I have not asked Members of Congress to stand with me. I encourage all Members to vote with their conscience. As for me, I stand where I have stood on impeachment, which is a question of conscience, even when the odds are against me—it is better for me to stand alone than not stand at all—it won’t be the first time.”
Senior Democratic lawmakers and leadership aides have indicated that Green should expect the same pressure that Thanedar faced. “I think the same standard would be applied,” said one House Democrat to Axios.
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Green, however, appears determined to proceed. He emphasized his moral imperative to act. He quoted former President Gerald Ford as saying, ” An impeachable offense is whatever a majority of the House of Representatives considers it to be at a given moment in history.”
Green concluded his letter by saying, “I will call for a vote to impeach authoritarian President Donald John Trump at a time to be determined, knowing that the American people don’t expect me to always win, however I do believe they expect me to always fight.”
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