A Michigan Democratic congressman opted not to force a vote on a resolution to impeach President Trump Wednesday in the face of certain defeat and objections from his own colleagues.
Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) had until the end of Wednesday’s business to force a vote on his so-called privileged resolution, which contained seven articles of impeachment for alleged crimes including abuse of trade powers, bribery and corruption, obstruction of justice and tyranny.
“After talking with many colleagues, I have decided not to force a vote on impeachment today,” Thanedar, 70, told Politico in a text message. “Instead, I will add to my articles of impeachment and continue to rally the support of both Democrats and Republicans to defend the Constitution with me.”
Had Thanedar called up his resolution, Republicans would have immediately put forward a motion to table — tanking the measure without a direct up-or-down vote — and dozens of Democrats would have gleefully supported it.
Thanedar, whose district includes parts of Detroit and its suburbs, announced plans to charge ahead with impeachment articles late last month, shortly after Michigan legislator Donavan McKinney launched a primary challenge against him.
Justice Democrats, a far-left group supportive of socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), has pushed for McKinney, while “Squad” Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) has also endorsed him.
After announcing his impeachment plans, Thanedar then used taxpayer dollars to plaster a billboard in his district highlighting the effort and held multiple town halls bragging to constituents about his bid to drive Trump out of office.
Democrats fumed at him for putting them on the spot, with caucus chairman Pete Aguilar (D-Calif) grousing to reporters that “this is not the right approach we should be taking.”
“Right now, our focus is on health care being stripped away from the American people,” he added. “Everything else is a distraction.”
Thanedar’s colleagues were even more harsh when granted anonymity to speak freely, with House Democrats venting to Axios Tuesday: “This is the dumbest f—ing thing. Utterly selfish behavior,” What a dumbs—,” and “waste of f—ing time.”
Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives twice during his first term: once in December 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in connection with his request that Ukraine investigate the Biden family, and again in 2021 for incitement of insurrection in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Trump became the third president in US history to be impeached, joining Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, but was acquitted both times by the Senate.
Republicans roundly scoffed at Thanedar’s impeachment push.
“Rep. Shri Thanedar, who abused beagles and abandoned them to die when his testing lab shut down, is going to force an impeachment vote on President Trump,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) chided on X Tuesday.
“The Democrats should be so proud to be led by a guy who killed beagles, so fitting. It’s DOA,” she added, using an acronym for “dead on arrival.”
