Kathrine Frich
Another major impeachment vote is already looming on the schedule.
Political maneuvers in a deeply divided government rarely move smoothly.
Lawmakers often use parliamentary rules to make a statement rather than pass a law.
Now, one highly publicized effort has just hit a brick wall, but the drama on the floor is far from over.
A failed attempt
The US House of Representatives officially tossed out a motion to impeach Donald Trump on Tuesday.
Outgoing Congressman Al Green forced the highly contentious vote. According to Onet News, he accused the president of weaponizing border and immigration agencies against the public.
The resolution claimed Trump used them as “an unaccountable paramilitary police force […] assaulting people, committing and covering up the unjustified killings of civilians.” The text specifically mentioned the deaths of protesters Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis.
But the effort failed by a massive margin. Nearly all Republicans voted against the measure, joined by 18 Democrats, while 47 members simply abstained. Only 147 lawmakers backed the impeachment push.
Frustration in the ranks
The timing of the vote frustrated many politicians across the aisle.
According to Axios, Democrats felt angry that the doomed motion pulled focus away from immediate voter concerns. They preferred to focus on real issues like rising prices and artificial intelligence.
Green knew his chances of success were basically zero. Still, he insisted on putting his colleagues on the record before he leaves office, regardless of the political fallout.
Another target emerges
The chamber will not get much time to rest. Another major impeachment vote is already looming on the schedule.
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, who frequently clashes with Trump, has filed his own aggressive motion. He wants to force a vote to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Massie claims the defense chief waged an illegal war on Iran without proper congressional approval.
In response, the Pentagon stated that the conflict wrapped up in under 60 days. Current rules say the administration only needed formal approval if the fighting stretched past that specific deadline.
The final push
The accusations against the defense secretary go much further than the Middle East.
Massie also blames Hegseth for allegedly breaking the law during operations targeting suspected drug smugglers in the Pacific and Caribbean. The motion even brings up the kidnapping of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
Just like Green, Massie will soon exit the House of Representatives, making this his final major act of defiance.
Lawmakers expect to vote on this second measure by Thursday, and political experts predict it will suffer the exact same fate.
Sources: Polish Press Agency, Onet News, Axios
