Just weeks into his second presidency, former President Donald Trump is once again facing an impeachment effort, this time spearheaded by Representative Al Green, a Texas Democrat.
Why It Matters
Given the Republican-controlled House and Senate, Green’s impeachment effort is unlikely to succeed, but it underscores the deep political divisions that remain in Washington. If impeachment articles were to pass the House, it would trigger yet another Senate trial, disrupting Trump’s second term and potentially shaping the political narrative leading into the 2026 midterm elections.
Trump was impeached twice during his first term—first over allegations of abuse of power regarding Ukraine and later for his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. In both instances, the Senate acquitted him.
While unprecedented, a third impeachment is permissible under the Constitution, as there is no limit to how many times a president can be impeached. However, it could prompt legal and constitutional debates about whether policy statements alone justify impeachment.
Eric Gay/AP Photo
What To Know
During a recent press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump suggested that the United States should take control of the Gaza Strip. His remarks drew swift backlash, with critics arguing that his statements could be interpreted as advocating for forced displacement.
Green soon announced his impeachment plans on the House floor, stating: “Ethnic cleansing in Gaza is not a joke, especially when it emanates from the president of the United States.”
He added, “I rise to announce that I will bring articles of impeachment against the president for dastardly deeds proposed and dastardly deeds done.”
Despite the dramatic announcement, Green’s effort lacks support from the Democratic leadership. A senior House Democrat told Axios that Green’s impeachment articles would go nowhere. Democratic Representative Pete Aguilar echoed this sentiment, saying, “This isn’t a focus of the Democratic Caucus.”
Meena Bose, the executive dean of Hofstra University’s Peter S. Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy and International Affairs, told Newsweek on Thursday that the articles of impeachment against Trump are “unlikely to move forward.”
“If the president is impeached, the Constitution states the Senate has the “sole power to hold an impeachment trial,” Bose said.
“In 2024, the Democratic-led Senate voted against holding a trial for U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who was impeached by the Republican-led House. That potentially could be a precedent for senators to vote against an impeachment trial again,” she said.
Voter support for impeachment would be “divided along party lines” at this point, she said, noting that there isn’t a clear bipartisan consensus on impeachment.
What Does Impeachment Mean?
Impeachment is the constitutional process by which the House of Representatives can bring charges against a sitting president or other federal officials for “high crimes and misdemeanors.” If the House approves the articles of impeachment, the process moves to the Senate for a trial. If convicted by a two-thirds majority, the president is removed from office.
Why Is a Democrat Trying to Impeach Trump?
Green has long been a vocal critic of Trump and previously pushed for impeachment during the Republican‘s first term. Green argues that Trump’s comments regarding Gaza and U.S. foreign policy warrant removal from office, stating that they amount to advocating for ethnic cleansing.
Has Trump Been Impeached Before?
Yes, Trump was impeached twice during his first term. The first impeachment in 2019 stemmed from allegations that he pressured Ukraine to investigate his political rival, Joe Biden. The second impeachment in 2021 was related to his role in inciting the January 6 Capitol riot. In both cases, the Senate acquitted him, allowing him to remain in office.
What Other Presidents Have Been Impeached?
Only three U.S. presidents have been impeached: Andrew Johnson in 1868, Bill Clinton in 1998 and Trump. All were acquitted in the Senate and were not removed from office. Former President Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 before he could be impeached over the Watergate scandal.
Can a Vice President Be Impeached?
Yes, vice presidents can be impeached just like presidents. The Constitution does not distinguish between the president and vice president regarding the impeachment process. However, no vice president has ever been impeached in U.S. history.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday: “The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too.” He added, “I do see a long-term ownership position, and I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East and maybe the entire Middle East.”
Representative Al Green said on the House floor on Wednesday: “The movement to impeach the president has begun.”
Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland told reporters when asked how many Republicans would be needed to impeach Trump: “Well, right now, it’s 218 to 215, so if you can find me two Republicans, I’ll go to work tomorrow.”
Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma posted a video to Instagram saying: “I’m sorry, Mr. Green, I thought the last time I checked the Constitution that you swore to uphold that articles of impeachment was required to be treason, bribery, high crime. I didn’t know ‘dastardly deeds proposed’ and ‘dastardly deeds done’ was part of it. Quite playing political games with our Constitution.”
Costas Panagopoulos, political science professor at Northeastern University, told Newsweek: “Right now, it’s unlikely Trump would be impeached in the House and even less likely he’d be convicted by the Senate. Impeachment attempts could backfire on Democrats if they’re advanced for less serious transgressions, but we cannot rule out the possibility of more flagrant incidents that qualify as high crimes or misdemeanors that would justify impeachment.
“In such cases, voters may not hold it against Democrats for holding Trump’s feet to the fire. So, Democrats need to be cautious and strategic in pursuing impeachment against Trump. If they do this too often, its effectiveness may wear off and shoot the party in the foot when there might really be an egregious violation that warrants impeachment.”
What Happens Next
With Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress, impeachment proceedings against Trump are unlikely to move forward. The House Judiciary Committee, which typically reviews impeachment resolutions, has not signaled any intention to take up Green’s effort.
Nevertheless, the political fallout from Trump’s remarks on Gaza could influence foreign policy debates and deepen partisan divisions ahead of the 2026 elections.
Update 2/7/25, 10:26 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Costas Panagopoulos.
