It’s only been a few months since President Donald Trump was inaugurated and a lawmaker has already started the process to potentially impeach him. During his previous term, Trump became the first president to be impeached twice.
“Overall, this president has encroached on the power of Congress,” U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), told WWJ Newsradio this week, explaining why he filed articles of impeachment Monday. “He has disregarded the judiciary, and I felt that among a list of his impeachable activities, these two really did it for me.”
In particular, Thanedar said that the Trump administration’s decision to disregard the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling related to the erroneous deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia pushed him to file the articles. Although the administration said earlier this year in court documents that Garcia’s deportation was an error, “border czar” Tom Homan said during Monday’s White House press briefing that he does not see it as an error, CBS News reported.
According to YouGov poll results released this week, 45% of respondents believe that Garcia’s deportation to El Salvador, where he faces possible torture, was unjustified. Just 26% believe it is justified and 29% said they were not sure.
“I did 12 in-person town halls just in the last 40 days,” Thanedar told WWJ. “Each town hall, hundreds of people showed up. And these people overwhelmingly said: “What are you doing to counteract the unconstitutional activities of this president?’ And specifically, my constituents overwhelmingly asked me to impeach this president, begin the impeachment process.”
Thanedar added that, even though he is a junior member of Congress, he decided to file the articles because there should be “no kings” in a democracy. He said that he has already garnered support from 15 members of Congress.
“I want to not only get the support of the Democrats, but I would like to break away some Republicans, because I’m going to need those Republicans to pass this impeachment resolution in the United States House.”
With a Republican majority in the House, the chances of Trump being impeached appear slim. Still, Thanedar believes that the president should be held accountable
“I felt the responsibility to do it, and my constituents overwhelmingly asked me to do,” he said.
The Congressman said he also hopes the move will put pressure on Republicans to hold Trump accountable as well.
“It is time for not only the Democrats, but the Republican members of Congress, you know, look inside their soul, inside their heart, inside the conscience, and look at the actions of this president, and not be intimidated, do the right thing,” he said. I’m urging my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the right thing.”
A press release from the congressman outlined seven articles of impeachment. These include: obstruction of justice and abuse of executive power; usurpation and appropriations of power; abuse of trade powers and international aggression; violation of first amendment rights; violation of first amendment rights; creation of an unlawful office; bribery and corruption, and tyrannical overreach.