Lame-duck TN lawmaker throws kitchen sink at Trump with 26 articles of impeachment

Democratic Tennessee Representative Steve Cohen introduced over two dozen articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump this week. The move comes after the House rejected a separate impeachment resolution earlier this month.

Cohen’s 26 articles cover a broad range of allegations, ranging from Trump’s immigration policies to use of military force, to election rhetoric. The first article accuses Trump of “undermining democracy” by promoting doubt in US elections, while another accuses him of abusing his power by waging war in Iran without congressional approval. A separate article focuses on Trump’s deployment of military forces against US cities to combat unruly political agitators and crime.

“Trump is clearly the most impeachable President our country has ever endured. His continued presence in office is a danger to our democracy," Cohen claimed in a press release. "That the sycophantic Republican majority in Congress is derelict in its duty does not mean that I must abandon my responsibilities. I took an independent oath to support and defend the Constitution. That commitment compels me to introduce this resolution today. When historians write about this period, and our constituents ask who stood up to President Trump’s lawlessness, this resolution is the answer."

The effort comes less than two weeks after the House rejected an impeachment attempt brought forward by Representative Al Green. Green’s effort was narrower, focusing on Trump’s immigration policies and accusing him of abusing presidential authority after the killings of several civilians by federal agents. 

It remains to be seen how Democrats will decide to move forward with impeachment attempts against Trump. The House voted to table Green’s resolution, and Democratic leaders did not endorse the effort.

Trump was previously impeached twice during his first term as president. The Senate acquitted him in both cases.

Cohen’s impeachment articles come after Tennessee Republicans passed a new congressional map in May that divided his majority-black district among three Republican-leaning districts. The map was passed after the Supreme Court issued a ruling that weakened racial gerrymandering protections under the Voting Rights Act. Cohen, who is white, described the new map as a “gerrymandered” effort that “diluted the black vote.” He also announced that he would not run for re-election in any of the districts.