Democratic Rep. Al Green said he plans to keep pursuing impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, tying his renewed push to the anniversary of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Speaking outside the Capitol on Tuesday, Green said: “This is a day to recall what happened when the citadel of democracy was assaulted by insurrectionists. We can never allow it to happen again. It should not have happened then.”
He continued: “But I pledge to you that I will do all that I can, including make efforts to impeach Donald John Trump, for all that he has done to create this stain on the citadel of democracy.”
Tuesday marked five years since the January 6, 2021, riots, when hundreds of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol to protest his election loss. After returning to office, Trump pardoned more than 1,500 people and commuted the sentences of 14 people who participated in the Capitol riots.
The outlet reached out to Green and the White House for comment by email outside normal working hours.
Why it matters
Trump was impeached twice during his first presidency, but the U.S. Senate acquitted him both times.
An impeachment push led by Green would face long odds, with Republicans holding majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
What to know
Green has repeatedly sought impeachment action against Trump. In May, he introduced articles of impeachment, arguing Trump was “unfit to be President.” In December, Green made another attempt, but it did not receive enough votes to advance.
Other Democrats have also tried to remove Trump from office. In April, Michigan Rep. Shri Thanedar introduced seven articles of impeachment, citing multiple issues, including Trump’s use of the Department of Government Efficiency and his implementation of tariffs on U.S. trading partners.
While those efforts have not succeeded, Trump has suggested he believes impeachment could return as a threat after the midterm elections. Speaking at a House Republican policy retreat on Tuesday, he told Republicans that “I’ll get impeached” if they do not win the midterm elections in November.
What they’re saying
Green said in December: “He doesn’t believe in separation of powers, he disrespects the House and the Senate, the members who don’t give him what he desires, he is also a person who thinks that he can literally do whatever he pleases.”
Trump, addressing earlier impeachment efforts at an April rally, said: “Today they did it again. Some guy that I’ve never heard of… is he a congressman? This guy, he said; ‘ladies and gentlemen, I am going to start the impeachment of Donald Trump.’ What the hell did I do? Here we go again.”
What happens next
Green has not provided additional details about what steps he plans to take next.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has launched a new White House webpage about the Capitol riots, blaming former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democrats for the attack.
