Rep. Al Green at Joe Biden’s State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on March 7, 2024. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images.
Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) said Wednesday he plans to introduce articles of impeachment against President Trump after just two weeks of the new president’s second term.
Why it matters: The effort is almost certain to fail, but it is the latest example of progressive Democrats trying to revive the anti-Trump resistance that helped sweep them into power during the last Trump administration.
Driving the news: In a House floor speech, Green took aim at Trump for saying at a press conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. will “take over the Gaza strip” and “own it.”
- “Ethnic cleansing in Gaza is not a joke, especially when it emanates from the president of the United States,” Green said.
- Green continued: “I rise to announce that the movement to impeach the president has begun. I rise to announce that I will bring articles of impeachment against the president for dastardly deeds proposed and dastardly deeds done.”
Between the lines: Green is known in Congress as a bombastic and prolific speaker, and as one of Trump’s most persistent Democratic critics.
- In 2017 — long before the two successful impeachment efforts against Trump — the Texas Democrat forced a vote on impeachment that just 58 of his Democratic colleagues supported.
- It is not clear whether he will once again force a vote or what the articles will say. His spokesperson Teque’ila Lewis told Axios he will “publish everything for everyone at the same time.”
- “They are still a work in progress,” she added.
What we’re hearing: Senior Democratic sources brushed off Green’s efforts, casting him as a backbencher who is not in coordination with leadership.
- One senior House Democrat, asked whether Green’s articles might gain traction, told Axios: “No.”
- The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
