Indian-origin Rep Shri Thanedar’s bid to impeach US President Donald Trump collapsed on Wednesday after fierce resistance from within his own party. The Michigan Democrat, who filed seven articles of impeachment in April, said he was backing off from forcing a House vote, opting instead to revise his resolution and build support across party lines.“After talking with many colleagues, I have decided not to force a vote on impeachment today,” Thanedar said, adding, “I will add to my articles of impeachment and continue to rally the support of both Democrats and Republicans to defend the Constitution with me.” He also claimed Trump had committed “more impeachable offenses” since April, including “accepting a $400 million jet from Qatar,” reported CNN.Thanedar had moved Tuesday to classify his resolution as “privileged,” triggering a mandatory vote within two legislative days. But by Wednesday afternoon, under pressure from Democratic leaders and colleagues, he reversed course. According to CBS News, the House had been preparing to table the motion, a move that would have effectively killed it.His articles accuse Trump of obstructing justice, abusing executive power, violating the First Amendment, and unlawfully creating the department of government efficiency (DOGE). Yet, his effort was swiftly dismissed even by fellow Democrats. Top judiciary Democrat Rep Jerry Nadler called the idea “idiotic” in a closed-door meeting, a remark that was met with applause, reported CNN.Democratic leadership, blindsided by the move, were frustrated. House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries’ team believed Thanedar had previously assured them he wouldn’t proceed. Rep Greg Stanton of Arizona criticised the timing, saying, “Any Democrat not focused on getting us to 218 is either wasting our time or helping Republicans.”Rep Jamie Raskin was quoted by CBS News as saying, “It’s not enough to be right. You need consensus. You need a strategy.” Leadership was particularly concerned that the motion would distract from their focus on opposing GOP-led spending cuts to Medicaid and food assistance. CBS News also quoted Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar as saying, “This is not the right approach… Everything else is a distraction.”Thanedar defended himself during a press conference, saying, “Many people in my party and elsewhere say, ‘Is this the right time?’ People all over the country are saying this is the right time to do it!” He added, “Some Democrats have called me a lunatic, just like the president has called me lunatic.”His resolution faced problems from the start.As per Fox News, four Democratic co-sponsors withdrew their names after learning the resolution wasn’t cleared with party leadership. Meanwhile, a White House spokesperson dismissed the move as a “reckless political act,” calling Trump’s actions “fully lawful and firmly rooted in the will of the American people.”This isn’t the first time Thanedar has taken a maverick stance. He faces a tough primary fight and his impeachment gambit may have been partly aimed at energising his base. But even he acknowledged the uphill battle, saying, “We’re not only going to fight the winning fights. We’re going to do it because it’s the right thing to do.”For now, Thanedar has stepped back but not out. “This is a process,” he said. “It’s not going to happen tomorrow or Thursday, but it’s a start.”
