WASHINGTON, May 14: Democratic lawmaker Rep. Shri Thanedar of Michigan is launching an attempt to impeach President Donald Trump, pushing past party leaders and attempting to force a procedural vote in the US House that is expected to fail. His resolution contains seven articles of impeachment against Trump, accusing him of committing crimes such as bribery, corruption, taking power from Congress, creating an unlawful office in DOGE, violating First Amendment rights, and ignoring due process.
This would be the historic third time Trump has faced impeachment efforts after being twice impeached during his first term as president. Trump was acquitted both times by the Senate. Thanedar’s decision to go it almost alone, without backing from party leadership, comes as he faces his own political challenges at home, with several primary opponents looking to unseat him in his Detroit-area district.
Timing is also key in his resolution claiming Trump committed “high crimes and misdemeanors” as Trump is traveling in the Middle East in his first major trip abroad of his second term. Thanedar said he was pressing ahead in part because of Trump’s trip abroad and potential conflicts of interest, as the president appears to be mixing his personal business dealings with his presidential duties and is considering accepting a lavish gift of an airplane from the Qatari government.
One top Trump ally, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, criticized Thanedar and dismissed the impeachment effort. Impeachment of a president or other US officials, once rare, has become increasingly common in Congress. Republicans in the House opened an impeachment inquiry into then-President Joe Biden but stopped short of action. The Senate dismissed two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas, ending his trial. (AP)
