A petition advocating for President Donald Trump’s impeachment has received over 100,000 signatures just a few days into his second administration.
The White House was approached for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The support for Trump’s impeachment reflects the country’s fundamental political divisions, as well as the reaction to his campaign and conduct in the early days of his second administration.
Trump was impeached twice during his first term, but the Senate acquitted him both times.
What to Know
The petition was started by the group Free Speech for People on the same day that Trump returned to the White House.
The report urges Congress to investigate President Trump’s alleged violations of the Emoluments Clauses, which prohibit him from profiting from the US, individual states, or foreign governments, as well as his “unlawful” and “corrupt” campaign conduct and pardoning those involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
The campaign added new grounds for impeachment inquiry on Thursday, citing Trump’s actions since coming to office, including his executive order to terminate birthright citizenship for certain children born in the US. It also claims that he illegally fired inspector generals and officials of the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board, and that he is abusing his power to “seek retribution against perceived enemies.”
“Free Speech for People is calling on Congress to launch an immediate impeachment investigation to determine whether there are sufficient grounds to impeach Donald Trump for offenses that have already occurred and that will continue in the days to come,” the petition’s title declares.
“Congress must also be prepared to expand its investigation if Trump undertakes any of the other impeachable actions that he has threatened to carry out.”
What People Are Saying
Alexandra Flores-Quilty, Free Speech for People’s campaign director, said in a statement:
“The overwhelming support for impeachment demonstrates that the American population is unwilling to accept King Trump.
“We need bold leaders in Congress willing to stand up and hold Trump accountable for his abuses of power and initiate an impeachment inquiry.”
According to John Bonifaz, co-founder and president of Free Speech for People,
Trump continues to take lawless and unconstitutional activities. He has been in office for less than two weeks, and the impeachable offenses are piling up. We must hold a president accountable when he abuses his power.”
Meanwhile, Republicans have overwhelmingly supported and defended Trump’s actions since his return to office. However, several people opposed the pardoning of January 6 defendants convicted of violent offenses.
In a letter inviting Trump to address a joint session of Congress, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that “America’s Golden Age has begun.” Because of your strong leadership and decisive action in the early days of your presidency, the United States has already seen a return of patriotism, unity, and optimism for the future.”
What’s Next
Efforts to impeach Trump for the third time are unlikely to succeed as long as Republicans control both the House and the Senate.
