Trump Impeachment Bid Collapses Amid Staff Errors

A Democratic-led effort to impeach President Donald Trump has stalled due to what’s being described as a miscommunication among congressional staff, according to a report by Politico. Representative Shri Thanedar (D-MI) introduced seven articles of impeachment on Monday, alleging Trump is “unfit to serve” and detailing accusations ranging from defying Supreme Court rulings to violating constitutional rights. Thanedar publicly outlined the charges, stating the articles address Trump’s defiance of a 9-0 Supreme Court ruling, dismantling of federal agencies, imposition of damaging tariffs, violations of First Amendment rights, creation of an unlawful office, dismissal of criminal cases involving donors, and denial of due process.

The initial resolution garnered support from four co-sponsors: Representatives Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Robin Kelly (D-IL), and Kweisi Mfume (D-MD). However, by Thursday, all four lawmakers had quietly removed their names, citing a misunderstanding.

According to an email obtained by Politico, Andrew Heineman, a senior aide to Representative Nadler, explained the situation to Democratic legislative directors, suggesting a simple check-in with staff could have prevented the issue. He indicated the co-sponsorships may have originated from a Google Alert, leading to the erroneous additions.

Spokespeople for Representatives Kelly and Mfume offered further clarification. Kelly’s spokesperson stated the Congresswoman believed the resolution had been drafted and reviewed by experts within the House Judiciary Committee. Mfume’s spokesperson explained he removed his name after learning the resolution hadn’t been cleared by Democratic leadership or fully vetted legally, preferring a cautious approach.

Thanedar has yet to publicly address the withdrawal of co-sponsors or the future of his impeachment effort.

This situation highlights the complexities of legislative procedure and the importance of internal communication within Congress. While the impeachment attempt appears to be facing significant hurdles, the underlying accusations against the former president remain a matter of public record and continue to fuel political debate. The ease with which co-sponsorships were added and then removed raises questions about the diligence of tracking legislative support and the potential for miscommunication to derail even serious efforts.