Congressman Issues Announces Regarding His Plan To Force House Vote
In a dramatic pivot that highlights the perils of political brinksmanship, Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI) has pulled back from an ambitious and contentious push to impeach former President Donald Trump—just hours before a vote was expected. Despite introducing a sweeping resolution accusing Trump of “high crimes and misdemeanors,” Thanedar found himself isolated within his own party, with critics labeling his effort misguided, poorly timed, and potentially self-serving.
Thanedar’s decision not to force a vote this week underscores the deep rift within the Democratic caucus. What began as a fiery call to “defend the Constitution” rapidly devolved into internal rebellion, with party leaders distancing themselves from the effort.
Reports revealed that prominent Democrats, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Whip Katherine Clark, were prepared to vote against Thanedar’s resolution, effectively killing it before it ever saw daylight. Axios went further, relaying unvarnished criticism from anonymous Democrats who labeled Thanedar “utterly selfish” and a “dumbs***”—signaling that frustration had reached a boiling point behind closed doors.
In the fifteen days since I filed seven articles of impeachment against President Trump, he has committed more impeachable offenses, most dangerously, accepting a $400 million private jet from Qatar, which even Republican Members of Congress have called wrong.
So, after talking…
— Congressman Shri Thanedar (@RepShriThanedar) May 14, 2025
The public rebuke by veteran lawmaker Rep. Jerry Nadler, who reportedly received applause after denouncing the move as “idiotic,” only added fuel to the fire. With bipartisan resistance forming and the risk of political humiliation looming, Thanedar took to X to announce he would regroup and revise his impeachment articles instead.
Among the new claims Thanedar is planning to include in his revised articles is Trump’s alleged willingness to accept a $400 million luxury aircraft—dubbed the “Flying Palace”—from Qatar. This accusation, wrapped in concerns over constitutional ethics and foreign influence, joins a long list of grievances Thanedar cited, including misuse of taxpayer funds, weaponization of government agencies, and retaliatory actions against the press.
Yet critics argue these additions do little to change the perception that this impeachment push is more spectacle than substance, especially given that Trump is no longer in office and has already been acquitted twice by a Republican-controlled Senate. Still, Thanedar insists the campaign is about principle, not politics.
It’s no secret that Thanedar is facing mounting pressure back home, including primary challengers emboldened by his recent actions. Notably, Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s endorsement of one of his rivals has created additional tension in Michigan’s Democratic circles. Thanedar’s impeachment crusade, then, may serve dual purposes: presenting himself as a fierce defender of democracy while attempting to outflank opponents within his own party.
But in attempting to lead the charge alone, he underestimated the appetite—or lack thereof—within the Democratic Party for another high-profile Trump impeachment. With party leaders aiming to stay disciplined ahead of the 2024 elections, the resolution was viewed less as a strategic masterstroke and more as an unwelcome distraction.