Democratic Party divisions were laid bare as three prominent representatives abruptly withdrew their support from a Trump impeachment resolution, leaving its proponent virtually alone in his quest to hold the president accountable.
Key Insights
- Democratic Reps. Kweisi Mfume, Robin Kelly, and Jerry Nadler have officially requested removal from a resolution to impeach President Donald Trump
- The resolution, proposed by Michigan Rep. Shri Thanedar, accuses Trump of bribery, corruption, and “tyrannical overreach”
- Representatives withdrew support after discovering the resolution hadn’t been vetted by Democratic leadership
- Only Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois remains as a co-sponsor, highlighting significant party division on impeachment strategy
- Democratic leadership has signaled they won’t pursue impeachment without Republican support
Democratic Impeachment Effort Crumbles
In a significant setback to Democratic efforts to pursue accountability measures against President Trump, three prominent Democratic representatives have officially withdrawn their support from a resolution seeking his impeachment. Representatives Kweisi Mfume of Maryland, Robin Kelly of Illinois, and Jerry Nadler of New York – the latter being a significant figure as former chair of the House Judiciary Committee during Trump’s previous impeachments – have all requested their names be removed from the measure, a request the House clerk has since granted.
The resolution, introduced by freshman Representative Shri Thanedar of Michigan, articulated seven articles of impeachment against Trump, including serious allegations of bribery, corruption, and what the measure described as “tyrannical overreach.” Despite the withdrawal of his colleagues’ support, Thanedar has remained steadfast in his determination to pursue the impeachment effort, citing what he considers to be Trump’s egregious violations of constitutional principles and the need for accountability.
Internal Party Confusion Exposed
The sudden withdrawal of support has exposed significant communication issues and strategic disagreements within the Democratic Party ranks. Spokespeople for the representatives who withdrew their support offered explanations that highlighted internal confusion. Mfume’s spokesperson indicated that the representative pulled back upon learning that the proposal had not been properly vetted by Democratic leadership or subjected to a thorough legal review – standard procedures for such significant measures.
Similarly, Kelly’s spokesperson pointed to a “misunderstanding,” stating that the representative had initially believed the resolution had undergone proper review by both the House Judiciary Committee and party leadership. The discovery that these critical steps had been skipped prompted her withdrawal, suggesting a breakdown in the party’s internal processes for vetting contentious political maneuvers. This confusion reveals deeper issues in how Democrats are coordinating their opposition strategy against Trump.
Leadership Distances From Impeachment Strategy
House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Pete Aguilar has effectively closed the door on party support for the impeachment resolution, citing the practical reality that such an effort would not garner any Republican backing. This pragmatic stance indicates a strategic calculation by Democratic leadership that pursuing impeachment without bipartisan support would be politically counterproductive, especially as Trump marks 100 days of his anticipated second-term campaign.
The resolution now stands with only a single co-sponsor, Representative Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, highlighting the isolating effect of pursuing measures without proper party coordination. This episode illustrates the deep rifts within the Democratic Party regarding how aggressively to confront Trump, with some members pushing for bold accountability measures while leadership appears more focused on politically viable strategies that might appeal to moderate voters.
Sources:
- 3 House Democrats ask to be removed from Trump impeachment resolution
- 3 Democrats ask to be removed from resolution to impeach Trump
