House Republicans are increasingly in conflict over efforts to overturn the impeachments of the former president Trump. Hard-line conservatives are pushing for a vote, while moderates have already warned GOP leaders that they will reject the measure.
If the resolutions were to be put on the floor, the promised opposition from moderate Republicans practically guarantees their demise. Additionally, it places Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in an impasse.
He runs the risk of angering Trump and his allies if he doesn't organize the vote. If he does, the measures would be rejected, validating Trump's impeachments at a time when they are becoming more numerous.
The controversy is just the most recent in a long line of discussions that have called into question McCarthy's ability to keep his conference united as Trump, the GOP front-runner who is also under investigation for two criminal offenses, looms in the distance.
The idea of expungement is nothing new. Elise Stefanik (N.Y.), Conference Chairwoman for the House Republicans, and other Republicans introduced legislation last month to blot out Trump's impeachments from history.
However, the discussion reached a new level last week when Politico reported that McCarthy raced to make amends, in part by promising to vote on expungement before the end of September, after publicly suggesting that Trump is not the strongest candidate for the GOP presidential nomination.
McCarthy has denied making such a pledge. However, the denial did nothing but make the problem more visible to the public and amplify conservative calls for the Speaker to put the measure to a vote.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), a prominent supporter of Donald Trump and a member of the Freedom Caucus, said, "It should definitely come to the floor and be expunged."
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a lead sponsor of one of the resolutions, told reporters that she hoped to see it completed before the August break and later added that "these are impeachments that shouldn't have happened, and so we would like to expunge them."
Many moderate Republicans, especially those up for difficult reelection in competitive districts and who are treading carefully not to associate themselves too closely with Trump, find the expungement push repugnant.
Given the Republicans' slim House majority, some of these lawmakers have already vowed to vote against the proposal if it comes to the floor. Others are actively contacting GOP leaders to warn them against holding such a vote.
One moderate Republican who wished to remain anonymous because the subject was so sensitive said, "I have every expectation that I'll vote against expungement, and I have every expectation that I'll work to bring others with me." He added, "I think my views represent a fair number of principled conservatives."
History is unchangeable. I mean, there was an impeachment vote. And I simply believe that we shouldn't participate in a culture that tries to erase history.
"I've communicated that with leadership," the lawmaker continued.
Twice during his four years in office, a House with a Democratic majority impeached Trump.
The first incident occurred in late 2019 when Trump threatened to stop providing military support to Ukraine unless its authorities opened a corruption investigation into his main political rival, Joe Biden. The second, in early 2021, focused on Trump's involvement in the attack on the US Capitol on January 6 that was carried out by Trump backers attempting to avenge their candidate's election loss.
Trump became just the third American president to be impeached, and the first to be twice. His Republican allies have long charged Democrats with abusing their power in order to hurt a political rival.
There have never been any attempts to expunge an impeachment. The move's opponents in both parties are also quick to point out that it has no real world impact because the impeachments already took place and cannot be undone.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md. ), a former constitutional law professor who led Trump's second impeachment, stated that there is "no procedure for expunging an impeachment." "It has no purpose at all."
Others noted that the Senate had already cleared Trump of all charges after failing to convict him following his two impeachments, rendering any further proceedings useless.
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a moderate, texted, "They're silly." "When do we void a not-guilty finding?"
Even in the face of resistance, Trump's allies continue to push for expungement as a show of support for the troubled former president.
In late June, McCarthy, who relied on Trump's support to win the Speaker's gavel this year, declared his support for expungement, telling reporters that the first punishment "was not based on true facts" and the second was "on the basis of no due process."
He said, "I believe it is appropriate, just as I believed before, that you expunge it because it never should have passed."
Following Politico's report, the topic of expungement resurfaced after fading from view for about a month. Days earlier, the former president claimed to have received a "target letter" from the Justice Department informing him that he is the target of their investigation into his attempts to retain power following the 2020 election, which includes the riot on Jan. 6.
Receiving a target letter is frequently a sign that charges will be brought soon. This would be Trump's second federal indictment and third indictment in recent months. That possibility has only fueled Trump's staunchest backers on Capitol Hill and may encourage efforts to have the two criticisms he received while in office removed.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) observed that "Trump's numbers rise every time you pile something on him." The Democrats should just ignore him, I find it surprising.
However, McCarthy is in a precarious position as Congress faces a Sept. 30 deadline to fund the government or risk a shutdown due to the debate over expungement among House Republicans.
Hard-line conservatives, many of whom are close Trump allies, are pushing leadership to enact aggressive cuts, including setting spending at levels lower than the agreement McCarthy struck with President Biden in May. As a result, the appropriations process is already causing controversy within the House GOP conference.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM WAYNEDUPREE.COM
As he did earlier this year during the debate over the debt ceiling, Trump has so far refrained from participating in that discussion. However, he still poses a risk in the weeks leading up to the shutdown deadline, particularly if his legal issues worsen and his congressional allies come under increased pressure to offer some sort of exoneration, even if it is only symbolic.
Democrats, on the other hand, are indifferent. Raskin stated that the Republicans "face a serious political problem" because they have centered their party around Donald Trump's success and aspirations.
If the resolutions were to be put on the floor, the promised opposition from moderate Republicans practically guarantees their demise. Additionally, it places Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in an impasse.
He runs the risk of angering Trump and his allies if he doesn't organize the vote. If he does, the measures would be rejected, validating Trump's impeachments at a time when they are becoming more numerous.
The controversy is just the most recent in a long line of discussions that have called into question McCarthy's ability to keep his conference united as Trump, the GOP front-runner who is also under investigation for two criminal offenses, looms in the distance.
The idea of expungement is nothing new. Elise Stefanik (N.Y.), Conference Chairwoman for the House Republicans, and other Republicans introduced legislation last month to blot out Trump's impeachments from history.
However, the discussion reached a new level last week when Politico reported that McCarthy raced to make amends, in part by promising to vote on expungement before the end of September, after publicly suggesting that Trump is not the strongest candidate for the GOP presidential nomination.
McCarthy has denied making such a pledge. However, the denial did nothing but make the problem more visible to the public and amplify conservative calls for the Speaker to put the measure to a vote.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), a prominent supporter of Donald Trump and a member of the Freedom Caucus, said, "It should definitely come to the floor and be expunged."
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a lead sponsor of one of the resolutions, told reporters that she hoped to see it completed before the August break and later added that "these are impeachments that shouldn't have happened, and so we would like to expunge them."
Many moderate Republicans, especially those up for difficult reelection in competitive districts and who are treading carefully not to associate themselves too closely with Trump, find the expungement push repugnant.
Given the Republicans' slim House majority, some of these lawmakers have already vowed to vote against the proposal if it comes to the floor. Others are actively contacting GOP leaders to warn them against holding such a vote.
One moderate Republican who wished to remain anonymous because the subject was so sensitive said, "I have every expectation that I'll vote against expungement, and I have every expectation that I'll work to bring others with me." He added, "I think my views represent a fair number of principled conservatives."
History is unchangeable. I mean, there was an impeachment vote. And I simply believe that we shouldn't participate in a culture that tries to erase history.
"I've communicated that with leadership," the lawmaker continued.
Twice during his four years in office, a House with a Democratic majority impeached Trump.
The first incident occurred in late 2019 when Trump threatened to stop providing military support to Ukraine unless its authorities opened a corruption investigation into his main political rival, Joe Biden. The second, in early 2021, focused on Trump's involvement in the attack on the US Capitol on January 6 that was carried out by Trump backers attempting to avenge their candidate's election loss.
Trump became just the third American president to be impeached, and the first to be twice. His Republican allies have long charged Democrats with abusing their power in order to hurt a political rival.
There have never been any attempts to expunge an impeachment. The move's opponents in both parties are also quick to point out that it has no real world impact because the impeachments already took place and cannot be undone.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md. ), a former constitutional law professor who led Trump's second impeachment, stated that there is "no procedure for expunging an impeachment." "It has no purpose at all."
Others noted that the Senate had already cleared Trump of all charges after failing to convict him following his two impeachments, rendering any further proceedings useless.
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a moderate, texted, "They're silly." "When do we void a not-guilty finding?"
Even in the face of resistance, Trump's allies continue to push for expungement as a show of support for the troubled former president.
In late June, McCarthy, who relied on Trump's support to win the Speaker's gavel this year, declared his support for expungement, telling reporters that the first punishment "was not based on true facts" and the second was "on the basis of no due process."
He said, "I believe it is appropriate, just as I believed before, that you expunge it because it never should have passed."
Following Politico's report, the topic of expungement resurfaced after fading from view for about a month. Days earlier, the former president claimed to have received a "target letter" from the Justice Department informing him that he is the target of their investigation into his attempts to retain power following the 2020 election, which includes the riot on Jan. 6.
Receiving a target letter is frequently a sign that charges will be brought soon. This would be Trump's second federal indictment and third indictment in recent months. That possibility has only fueled Trump's staunchest backers on Capitol Hill and may encourage efforts to have the two criticisms he received while in office removed.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) observed that "Trump's numbers rise every time you pile something on him." The Democrats should just ignore him, I find it surprising.
However, McCarthy is in a precarious position as Congress faces a Sept. 30 deadline to fund the government or risk a shutdown due to the debate over expungement among House Republicans.
Hard-line conservatives, many of whom are close Trump allies, are pushing leadership to enact aggressive cuts, including setting spending at levels lower than the agreement McCarthy struck with President Biden in May. As a result, the appropriations process is already causing controversy within the House GOP conference.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM WAYNEDUPREE.COM
As he did earlier this year during the debate over the debt ceiling, Trump has so far refrained from participating in that discussion. However, he still poses a risk in the weeks leading up to the shutdown deadline, particularly if his legal issues worsen and his congressional allies come under increased pressure to offer some sort of exoneration, even if it is only symbolic.
Democrats, on the other hand, are indifferent. Raskin stated that the Republicans "face a serious political problem" because they have centered their party around Donald Trump's success and aspirations.
