A major disagreement has broken out among House Democrats over an unsanctioned effort to impeach President Donald Trump, led by Representative Shri Thanedar, a Democrat from Michigan. During a private meeting on April 14, 2025, the move faced strong criticism, with Representative Jerry Nadler, a Democrat from New York and former top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, calling it “idiotic” and “horrible.”
Axios obtained information from six sources familiar with the meeting, and Nadler’s comments were met with applause from other lawmakers. It also got support from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California. The dispute revolves around Thanedar’s seven impeachment charges, which accuse President Trump of corruption, abuse of power, and “tyranny.”
Trump can be impeached again, but it needs support. The House is set to vote Wednesday evening on a Republican proposal to “table” these charges, which would stop the impeachment effort. Democratic leaders, including House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, a Democrat from Massachusetts, have said they will vote in favor of the Republican motion to table the charges.
Trump’s impeachment doesn’t have much support right now
Opposition to Thanedar’s effort comes from worries about the possible political consequences for House Democrats. Nadler argued that voting to table the charges would shield vulnerable Democrats from pressure by primary challengers who might push them to take stronger action against Trump, as well as from general election opponents who could attack them for supporting impeachment.
A senior House Democrat who attended the meeting summed up the general feeling by saying the impeachment push is seen as “a total distraction and waste of time given that there is no path to victory.”
The belief that the effort has little chance of succeeding is a major reason for the opposition. Pelosi echoed this view, though she did not directly tell Democrats to vote to table the charges. She pointed out the party’s past careful approach to impeachment to avoid seeming purely political. Her experience leading two Democratic impeachment efforts against President Trump during his first term seems to shape her stance.
Thanedar, however, continues to defend his push for impeachment. He says he is acting on behalf of his constituents and others nationwide who believe President Trump should face consequences for what Thanedar calls “clear, impeachable crimes.”
He stated, “I’m pursuing impeachment because the president has committed clear, impeachable crimes. I’ve heard from my constituents and people around the nation that they want this President held accountable, and that’s what I am doing.”
For those who are interested, there is a petition, and petitions have worked in the past. However, this idea of impeachment needs the support of representatives in Congress.
Published: May 14, 2025 01:48 pm