WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Thursday blasted Democrats in Congress pushing impeachment efforts against him, arguing that Republicans “should start to think” about expelling them.
Trump’s comments come after Michigan Democrat Rep. Shri Thanedar introduced an impeachment resolution against Trump this week, citing a “sweeping abuse of power, flagrant violations of the Constitution, and acts of tyranny that undermine American democracy and threaten the rule of law.”
Texas Democrat Rep. Al Green has also previously said he will present articles of impeachment against Trump.
“The Democrats are really out of control…They have already got two “No Name,” little respected Congressmen, total Whackjobs both, throwing the “Impeachment” of DONALD J. TRUMP around, for about the 20th time, even though they have no idea for what I would be Impeached,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social Post.
Here’s what to know about some Democrats’ efforts to impeach Trump.
Thanedar and Green’s efforts are unlikely to go anywhere in GOP-controlled House
Thanedar’s resolution includes seven articles of impeachment that detail what he alleges are “constitutional violations.” They include “abuse of trade powers and international aggression,” “creation of an unlawful office” (referencing the Department of Government Efficiency), and “obstruction of justice and abuse of executive power.”
“Donald Trump has repeatedly demonstrated that he is unfit to serve as President and represents a clear and present danger to our nation’s constitution and our democracy,” Thanedar said in a statement.
But his resolution has created some tension among House Democrats. Three lawmakers – Reps. Kweisi Mfume of Maryland, Robin Kelly of Illinois and Jerry Nadler of New York – had originally signed on to be co-sponsors of the resolution but later removed their names after learning it was not reviewed by leadership, according to The Hill.
Green has brought up articles of impeachment multiple times in Trump’s first term, and vowed to do so during his second term. On Thursday, Green previewed his articles of impeachment on the House floor.
Thanedar and Green’s efforts will likely go nowhere in a Republican-controlled House, since a simple majority vote is needed to approve articles of impeachment.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar said at a press conference earlier this week that “Impeachment is, at times, a tool that can be used. This president is no stranger to that; he’s been impeached twice.”
Trump was impeached twice during his first term in office. In 2019, his impeachment was prompted over allegations that he pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to investigate his political opponent Joe Biden; in 2021, he was impeached for “incitement of insurrection” at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. But both times, he was acquitted by the Senate.
“But we don’t have any confidence that House and Senate Republicans would do their jobs, and so this is not an exercise that we’re willing to undertake,” he said.
Can the House expel a member?
Yes, but it’s not that simple.
The Constitution’s article one section five notes that “Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.”
But Republicans would need Democratic support to carry out an expulsion effort.
“I wouldn’t say that today’s Republican majorities in either the House or Senate could by themselves expel Democrats,” said Sarah Binder, professor of political science at George Washington University.
“Small GOP majorities would find themselves about 70 votes shy in the House and 14 votes shy in the Senate,” she said.
In 2023, Republican George Santos became the sixth House member in history to be expelled from Congress.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to know about some Democrats’ push in Congress to impeach Trump
