Politics
Trump Faces Impeachment Vote This Week
By Jake Beardslee · May 14, 2025
Thanedar Forces House Vote on Trump Impeachment
Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) has taken the rare step of forcing a House vote on his resolution to impeach President Donald Trump, triggering a firestorm within his own party. Introducing the resolution as a "privileged" motion on Tuesday, Thanedar set a two-day window for the House to act—ensuring a vote by Thursday under chamber rules.
Impeachment Push Likely Puts Democrats in Political Bind
While the impeachment measure faces almost certain defeat in the GOP-controlled House, its political consequences for Democrats are already reverberating. Vulnerable Democratic incumbents now face a potentially risky vote that party leaders did not authorize or coordinate. Connor Gan / Unsplash
Axios: Democrats Privately Fume Over Surprise Move
According to Axios, several House Democrats reacted angrily in private to Thanedar’s maneuver, calling it “selfish” and “irrelevant.” U.S. House of Representatives / Wikimedia
Impeachment Articles Accuse Trump of ‘Tyranny’ and Corruption
Thanedar’s seven articles of impeachment accuse Trump of “abuse of power,” “corruption,” and “tyranny,” citing his consolidation of executive power and alleged misconduct involving personal finances. The White House / Wikimedia
Colleagues Question Timing and Motives
But his move has reportedly been overshadowed by growing suspicion among colleagues that the timing is motivated more by personal ambition than principle. Darren Halstead / Unsplash
House Democrat Questions Timing of Thanedar’s Impeachment Effort
One senior Democrat told Axios bluntly, "He's really just doing it for himself." JTV Studios / Wikimedia
Move Follows Tlaib's Endorsement of Thanedar’s Primary Opponent
The announcement came just one day after fellow Michigan Democrat Rep. Rashida Tlaib endorsed Thanedar’s primary challenger, state Rep. Donavan McKinney. United States Congress / Wikimedia
Democratic Lawmakers Pull Support
Several House Democrats have since asked to be removed as co-sponsors of the resolution. Some allege Thanedar “misleadingly intimated that his articles were drafted in coordination with and with support from Democratic leadership,” Axios reported. Matthew Bornhorst / Unsplash
Three Democrats Withdraw Support for Thanedar’s Impeachment Measure
Reps. Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), and Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) had originally signed on as co-sponsors of Thanedar’s measure, which outlines seven articles of impeachment against the president. However, in late April, the three lawmakers went to the House floor to request that their names be removed from the resolution—a request that was granted by the House clerk. Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash
Lawmakers Say They Thought Resolution Had Party Approval
Spokespersons for both Mfume and Kelly said the lawmakers had signed on under the assumption that the resolution had been vetted and approved by Democratic leadership. Darren Halstead / Wikimedia
Mfume Cites Lack of Vetting, Caution in Withdrawal
“Congressman Mfume removed himself as a cosponsor from H. Res. 353 because he was made aware it was not cleared by Democratic leadership and not fully vetted legally — and he preferred to err on the side of caution,” Mfume’s spokesperson said. House Creative Services / Wikimedia
Kelly’s Office Echoes Concern Over Vetting Process
Kelly’s office issued a similar explanation: “The Congresswoman was under the impression that the resolution was drafted and reviewed by both the House Judiciary Committee and Leadership when she originally signed on during a vote series on the floor.” U.S. House of Representatives / Wikimedia
Democratic Leadership Distances Itself from Impeachment Push
The public pullback by Mfume, Kelly, and Nadler came shortly after House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) made clear that Democratic leadership is not supporting the resolution. “Impeachment is, at times, a tool that can be used. This president is no stranger to that; he’s been impeached twice,” Aguilar said. “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.” House Creative Services, Franmarie Metzler / Wikimedia
Thanedar Defends Action as Constitutional Duty
Asked to respond to the backlash, Thanedar defended his decision. “Mr. Trump has conducted unconstitutional activities. He has conducted impeachable actions, and I have to do my constitutional duty,” he told Axios. Maryland GovPics / Wikimedia
Thanedar Rejects Political Motive Claims
Thanedar denied any electoral motivation, stating: “It’s too early—15 months. I’m not worried about that. It’s not about elections … it’s about doing the right thing.” U.S. House of Representatives / Wikimedia