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On Tuesday (June 24), the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly against pursuing impeachment articles against President Donald Trump. The vote was prompted by Texas Democrat Rep. Al Green, who filed a resolution accusing President Trump of unilaterally striking Iranian nuclear sites without congressional approval. The resolution claimed that Trump's actions disregarded the separation of powers and moved the U.S. toward authoritarianism.
The House voted 344 to 79 to table, or kill, the impeachment measure, with over 100 Democrats joining all Republicans in opposition. This vote highlights the significant division within the Democratic Party regarding the impeachment effort. According to Axios, many Democrats are wary of pursuing impeachment, as it is unlikely to succeed in either chamber of Congress.
Rep. Green's attempt was not his first effort to impeach President Trump. He has been vocal about his intentions for months, previously interrupting Trump's joint speech to Congress. Despite his persistence, Green's efforts have consistently failed to gain traction within his party. Speaker Mike Johnson defended Trump's actions, stating that the president's authority to strike Iran is constitutionally protected under Article II, similar to airstrikes carried out by former President Barack Obama in Libya in 2011.
President Trump has responded to these impeachment efforts with defiance, challenging Democrats to proceed with impeachment and criticizing progressive leaders like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The vote reflects the ongoing political tensions surrounding President Trump's foreign policy decisions and the broader debate over executive power.