WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives decisively voted to suspend a proposal aimed at impeaching President Donald Trump, who was accused of abusing power by initiating military operations against Iran without Congressional approval.
This abrupt action was set off by Rep. Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, causing some division within his party. Although Republicans largely supported shelving the motion, a considerable number of Democrats showed support for Green’s initiative. The final vote tally stood at 344-79.
Expressing his reluctance, Green stated before the vote, “I take no delight in what I’m doing.” He emphasized the need for Congressional consultation before engaging millions in warfare, underscoring the significance of upholding the Constitution. “I do this because the Constitution is going to be meaningful or it will be meaningless.”
While this isn’t the first move to attempt Trump’s impeachment since his re-election in January, it highlights the growing concerns among many Democrats about his administration, especially following the sudden strikes on Iran’s nuclear installations, which escalated tensions in the Middle East.
Earlier that day, Trump vehemently responded to another Democratic Representative, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York, who had labeled his military actions as potentially impeachable.
House Democratic leaders refrained from openly criticizing Green but indicated their priorities lie elsewhere. Typically, impeachment votes are seen as matters of conscience, allowing members to vote independently of leadership preferences.
Rep. Pete Aguilar of California, chair of the Democratic caucus, mentioned that lawmakers should focus on representing their constituents. “At this time, at this moment, we are focusing on what this big, ugly bill is going to do,” he said, referring to the Trump tax cut legislation progressing through Congress, and stressed that impeachment discussions could divert attention from critical issues.
During Trump’s first term, House Democrats impeached him twice: once in 2019 concerning Ukraine-related military aid and again in 2021 for inciting the January 6 Capitol attack. In both cases, the Senate acquitted Trump, paving the way for his return to office.
Rep. Green, who had introduced previous impeachment articles against Trump, remains vocal about his concerns regarding Trump’s governance, warning that it steers the country towards authoritarianism. The congressman expressed his intention to press the issue as a means of demonstrating vigilant oversight of the president’s actions.