House Democrat Introduces New Articles of Impeachment Against Trump

President Donald Trump faces 26 new impeachment articles introduced by House Democrat Steve Cohen. The charges include alleged abuses of power and violations of his oath. Cohen, a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee and a representative from Tennessee, presented the articles on September 24.

These events unfolded just nine days after a previous impeachment effort led by Al Green was rejected. The House voted 232-147 to shelve Green’s resolution, with 18 Democrats aligning with nearly all Republicans. Democratic leaders such as Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark, and Pete Aguilar joined 47 lawmakers voting present.

Cohen’s resolution expands significantly on Green’s by encompassing Trump’s immigration policies, military engagements, federal spending, tariffs, pardons, handling of the federal workforce, interactions with universities and law firms, media relations, and alleged personal financial gain from the presidency.

The first article accuses Trump of undermining democracy by creating election doubts. The second alleges an abuse of power in military actions against Iran without congressional approval. Other articles address alleged extrajudicial killings near Venezuela and the military deployment within U.S. cities.

Immigration is a significant component of the resolution, with controversial policies such as Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order and the Alien Enemies Act highlighted. This act led to the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador. The articles also criticize the administration’s defiance of court orders and conditions at El Salvador’s CECOT prison.

Trump is clearly the most impeachable President our country has ever endured. His continued presence in office is a danger to our democracy

Cohen’s resolution further accuses Trump of unlawful fund withholding, imposing loyalty tests, terminating inspectors general improperly, and abusing pardon powers. Trump is also accused of attacking press freedom, allegedly convincing CBS and ABC to change content. This press-freedom battle is ongoing in court, with CNN, MS NOW, and Politico contesting their exclusion from the White House.

The final article accuses Trump of violating the Constitution’s emoluments provisions, with claims of personal profiting from his presidency. Cohen has expressed skepticism about the effort advancing, stating his commitment to standing up for democracy, despite the unlikely passage.

The divide among Democrats about pursuing impeachment remains evident. Green’s earlier attempt targeted immigration-related abuses, while Cohen’s is more extensive. Despite overlap, Green focused on killings during federal immigration operations, which the administration defended.

Historically, both Cohen and Green sought Trump’s impeachment from his first term. Cohen filed five articles in 2017, focusing on constitutional violations. Green’s 2017 resolution accused Trump of inciting bigotry. That year, the House voted 364-58 against Green’s resolution.

Trump’s past impeachments by the House involved his 2019 Ukraine dealings and the January 2021 Capitol insurrection. The Senate acquitted him both times. This new resolution by Cohen indicates intent rather than an immediate impeachment, needing House approval of at least one article to proceed.