Impeachment Backfires: Al Green’s Trump Resolution Fails Spectacularly While Democratic Leaders Hit the Brakes

On December 12, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 237-140 to reject Democratic Rep. Al Green’s second impeachment effort against President Donald Trump. This marks the second time this year Green’s resolution was dismissed.

Rep. Green, who believes Trump has committed “high crimes and misdemeanors,” argued for impeachment over Trump’s actions, including threats against Democratic lawmakers. “He has conducted himself in office such that persons are now threatening members of the judiciary, threatening members of the House of Representatives,” Green said.

The vote shows a shift in Democratic support for impeachment, with 47 members voting “present” instead of outright opposing the resolution. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and his deputies emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation before pursuing impeachment.

This is not the first time Trump has faced impeachment. He was impeached twice during his first term but was acquitted both times. Republicans, including Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, criticized the vote as a distraction from addressing key issues.

Democratic leaders have insisted that any future impeachment efforts require thorough investigation and oversight, signaling that they are not focused on impeachment during Trump’s second term.

Rep. Al Green’s second attempt in 2025 to impeach President Donald Trump ended in a decisive defeat, exposing deep divisions within the Democratic Party and signaling a major shift in strategy among its leadership.

On December 12, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 237–140 to reject Green’s impeachment resolution. This was not a close call—it was a resounding loss that underscored just how little appetite there currently is in Congress for reopening impeachment battles against Trump during his second term.

Why Green Pushed for Impeachment

Green argued that President Trump’s rhetoric and actions amounted to “high crimes and misdemeanors,” claiming they had fueled threats against members of the judiciary and Democratic lawmakers. He warned that failing to act would normalize what he views as dangerous conduct by the president.

However, many lawmakers—including Democrats—felt the resolution was rushed and unsupported by a formal investigation.

Democrats “Hit the Brakes”

The most telling sign of impeachment fatigue came from inside the Democratic caucus itself:

47 Democrats voted “present”, refusing to back Green but also declining to vote outright “no”

Democratic leadership, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, stressed that impeachment should only follow thorough investigations and oversight, not unilateral resolutions

Party leaders made it clear they do not want impeachment to dominate the agenda during Trump’s second term

This cautious approach reflects concerns that repeated impeachment efforts could:

Alienate swing voters

Distract from policy messaging

Reinforce Republican claims that Democrats are obsessed with Trump

Republicans Call It a Political Distraction

Republicans seized on the failed vote as proof that impeachment has become a political weapon rather than a constitutional tool. GOP lawmakers argued that Congress should instead focus on pressing national issues such as the economy, border security, and global instability.

Bigger Political Meaning

This vote sends several powerful signals:

Trump remains politically resilient despite controversy