Schumer Eyes Trump Impeachment If Democrats Win Congress
Key Takeaways:
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says Democrats might impeach Donald Trump if they regain control of Congress in 2024.
- Schumer accuses Trump of violating the rule of law daily but says it’s too early to decide on impeachment.
- Democratic lawmakers have previously impeached Trump twice, citing his actions as grounds for removal.
- The debate over impeachment highlights ongoing political tensions in Washington.
The possibility of impeaching former President Donald Trump is back in the spotlight after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer hinted that Democrats might pursue it if they win control of Congress in 2024. During a recent interview, Schumer criticized Trump for allegedly breaking the law every day, though he stopped short of promising impeachment.
What’s Happening Now?
Schumer’s comments came during a Sunday interview with CNN’s Dana Bash. When asked if Democrats would prioritize impeaching Trump if they take back Congress, Schumer said, “President Trump is violating the rule of law in every way.” He emphasized that Democrats are currently focused on showing the American people the negative impact of Trump’s actions, rather than making long-term plans.
Schumer’s remarks follow similar statements by other Democratic lawmakers. For example, Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff recently stated that Trump has committed offenses that go beyond any previous standard for impeachment.
What Does This Mean?
Impeachment is a serious process in the U.S. government. It allows Congress to remove a president or other officials from office for “high crimes and misdemeanors.” While the House of Representatives has the power to impeach, the Senate holds a trial to decide whether to convict and remove the official.
In Trump’s case, Democrats have accused him of violating the law in several ways. One major issue is his alleged defiance of court orders related to deporting undocumented immigrants linked to gangs. For example, Trump’s administration was accused of ignoring a federal judge’s order to bring back a plane carrying over 200 alleged gang members who had been deported.
Additionally, Democrats point to Trump’s handling of a case involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 member who was deported to El Salvador despite a Supreme Court ruling ordering his return to the U.S.
A History of Controversy
This isn’t the first time Trump has faced impeachment. In December 2019, Democrats in the House voted to impeach him for the first time, accusing him of abusing his power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rival, Joe Biden. The Senate acquitted him in early 2020.
Less than a year later, Democrats impeached Trump again in January 2021, this time for his role in the Capitol riot. Once more, the Senate acquitted him.
Even though Trump is no longer in office, some lawmakers believe he should still face consequences for his actions. Texas Representative Al Green, for example, has vowed to bring articles of impeachment against Trump within 30 days, arguing that Trump is unfit to hold public office.
What’s Next?
For now, Schumer and other Democrats are focusing on the 2024 elections. If they win control of both the House and Senate, they could theoretically move forward with impeachment. However, Schumer made it clear that no decisions have been made yet, saying it’s “too far away to even judge.”
The idea of impeaching Trump again is dividing opinions. Some Democrats see it as a way to hold him accountable for his actions, while others worry it could backfire politically. Republicans have largely defended Trump, accusing Democrats of targeting him for political gain.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the possibility of impeaching Donald Trump is far from off the table. Whether it happens will depend on the results of the 2024 elections and how Democrats choose to use their power.