Trump and Republican allies push for House resolution to void first-term impeachments
President Donald Trump and his allies are pressing Republican lawmakers to pass a congressional resolution that would symbolically expunge his two first-term impeachments from the record. The effort, first reported by the Wall Street Journal and confirmed by a White House official, has the backing of House Speaker Mike Johnson, though legal experts say the Constitution provides no mechanism for undoing an impeachment. The move would carry no legal force but would allow Trump to claim a symbolic victory over proceedings he has long called politically motivated.
Trump, who was impeached by the Democratic-led House in 2019 over allegations of pressuring Ukraine to investigate a political rival and again in January 2021 over his alleged role in inciting the Capitol riot, was acquitted by the Senate in both cases. He told the Wall Street Journal the resolution 'should be done because I did nothing wrong,' calling the impeachments 'a rigged deal.' Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed he has discussed the proposal with Trump and legal advisers including Alan Dershowitz and Jay Sekulow, describing the impeachments as 'sham' proceedings and 'a hyperpartisan attack job.' Constitutional scholars, however, are dismissive: University of North Carolina law professor Michael Gerhardt called the idea 'absurd,' stating that 'Congress doesn't have this power' and that the impeachments are 'in the history books.' The effort is reportedly on hold until after the November midterm elections, and not all Republicans are supportive — retiring Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska called it 'silly.' Democrats, including former impeachment managers Ted Lieu and Adam Schiff, welcomed the prospect of renewed hearings, arguing the move would backfire politically by re-litigating the underlying allegations. The push is part of a broader pattern in which Trump has sought to reverse or nullify legal and political actions taken against him, including his 2024 hush money conviction.
What's missing
No source details whether any Senate Republicans have been consulted or would support a companion measure.
How coverage differed
Right-leaning outlets such as the Washington Examiner largely presented the resolution as a reasonable corrective to 'sham impeachments,' amplifying Trump's and Johnson's framing with minimal critical legal commentary. Left-leaning outlets such as The Independent and The Guardian gave more prominent space to legal experts calling the idea 'absurd,' Democratic critics warning it would backfire, and the broader pattern of Trump seeking to erase his legal record.
What different sources said
- Washington ExaminerRight
Trump backs House resolution to erase first-term impeachments: Report
- The Straits TimesCenter
Trump and allies working on plan to void his impeachments: WSJ report
- The Jerusalem PostRight
Trump, allies working on plan to void his impeachments - report
Trump asking Congress for symbolic expunging of his two impeachments
- The IndependentLeft
Trump is pushing to have Congress ‘expunge’ his impeachments - even without a law saying its possible
- Yahoo FinanceCenter
Trump is pushing to have Congress ‘expunge’ his impeachments - even without a law saying its possible
- ForbesCenter
How Trump Is Trying To Clear His Record—Including Impeachments And Hush Money Conviction
- ReutersCenter
Trump, allies working on plan to void his impeachments, WSJ reports
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