Three Of Four Dems Ask House Clerk To Remove Names From Congressman’s Articles
The Democratic Party just stumbled into one of its most embarrassing legislative pratfalls of 2025, courtesy of a rogue impeachment attempt that evaporated almost as quickly as it was introduced. Rep. Shri Thanedar’s articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump—meant to be a bold, defiant statement—have instead become a cautionary tale in party disunity, miscommunication, and political overreach.
It began with Thanedar's Monday video, a breathless announcement in which the Michigan Democrat unveiled seven articles of impeachment against Trump. His central grievance? The administration’s deportation of alleged MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia—a move Thanedar dramatically labeled “the final straw.”
That claim alone raised eyebrows, especially given that the deportation of violent criminal aliens has long been a bipartisan policy pillar. But the broader issue was the lack of preparation and political support behind the effort.
By Tuesday, the cracks were already visible. Three of the initial four co-sponsors—Reps. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), and Robin Kelly (D-IL)—had all quietly withdrawn their support, asking the House clerk to remove their names. Their excuse? They thought the measure had the green light from Democratic leadership or at least some sort of Judiciary Committee vetting. It didn’t.
Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA), chair of the House Democratic Caucus, twisted the knife with a half-endorsement, half-dismissal during a press briefing. While stopping short of absolving Trump, he admitted flatly that impeachment was “not an exercise that we’re willing to undertake.” Translation: There’s no appetite in the caucus for a losing, symbolic gesture that might only energize Trump’s base.
That left Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) as the lone co-sponsor still attached to the articles. The symbolic isolation was complete.
Incredibly, Thanedar is not backing down. In a statement to The Hill, he reaffirmed his mission, insisting that Trump has “blatantly violated the Constitution” and asserting that he “can not speak for the actions of other members.”
The messaging makes clear that Thanedar sees himself as a righteous outlier—but within his own caucus, the view might be closer to liability than leadership.
And as if the farce needed another chapter, Rep. Al Green (D-TX)—a veteran of multiple past impeachment attempts—has still not introduced his own long-promised articles of impeachment, making this entire sequence feel more like a progressive performance piece than a serious legislative strategy.