Dems privately rage over "utterly selfish" Trump impeachment vote
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Rep. Shri Thanedar outside the U.S. Capitol on April 10. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
House Democrats erupted into fury and profane invective Tuesday as Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) forced a vote on his rogue efforts to impeach President Trump.
Why it matters: The vote could be tough for many Democrats, who feel impeachment is politically foolish but are facing demands from their grassroots to mirror Trump's shock-and-awe tactics.
- "It's going to cause Democrats in [competitive] seats to make tough decisions," said one House Democrat.
- Several lawmakers told Axios they believe Thanedar's impeachment efforts are clearly aimed at galvanizing support in his contested Democratic primary.
- A senior House Democrat, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity to offer insights into the private reactions of their colleagues, told Axios: "People are pissed."
Driving the news: Thanedar took to the House floor Tuesday afternoon to notice his seven articles of impeachment as privileged, which forces the House to vote on them within two legislative days.
- In other words, the House has to act by Thursday. Republicans will likely introduce a motion to table — or kill — Thanedar's measure.
- The measure accuses Trump of a litany of offenses, including abuse of power, corruption and "tyranny," mostly related to his consolidation of power and his personal finances.
What we're hearing: "This is the dumbest f***ing thing. Utterly selfish behavior," said a third House Democrat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak candidly about a colleague.
- A fourth House Democrat said of Thanedar, simply: "What a dumbs***."
- A fifth called Thanedar's maneuver "irrelevant" because Republicans motion to table "will succeed," predicting some Democrats may vote for the GOP motion.
- The first House Democrat who spoke anonymously said it's "a waste of f***ing time."
Zoom in: Some Democrats also see Thanedar's push as a distraction from their party's efforts to message against Republicans' massive tax cut bill.
- "We need to focus on reconciliation," said Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), the chair of the New Democrat Coalition. "100% of our energy is on dealing with this."
Flashback: Thanedar first raised the ire of his colleagues last week by listing several colleagues as co-sponsors on his impeachment articles based on vague conversations without looping in their staffs.
- Sources also alleged Thanedar misleadingly intimated that his articles were drafted in coordination with and with support from Democratic leadership.
- Thanedar introduced his articles the same day that Democratic state Rep. Donavan McKinney announced plans to challenge Thanedar. The latest move to force a vote comes one day after Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) endorsed McKinney.
- "He's really just doing it for himself," said the first House Democrat.
The other side: Asked about his colleagues' comments, Thanedar told Axios "Mr. Trump has conducted unconstitutional activities. He has conducted impeachable actions, and I have to do my constitutional duty."
- Thanedar said he has "communicated" with leadership but "didn't seek permission," adding that he will not withdraw his motion "unless someone can convince me that many of my articles are incorrect."
- Asked about suggestions that the effort is related to his primary, he said: "It's too early — 15 months. I'm not worried about that. It's not about elections ... it's about doing the right thing."
- "The rest of the members have to look into their own conscience and make a decision: is this impeachable conduct or not?" he added.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
