Full Breakdown
Trump Pushes for Congressional Expungement of Impeachments
6/12/2026, 11:48:48 PM
Push to Expunge Impeachments
President Donald Trump and allies urge the House to adopt a resolution that would symbolically void his two first-term impeachments. The Wall Street Journal said the push began in May 2026, with Speaker Mike Johnson open to it. Legal scholars note the Constitution has no mechanism to erase an impeachment.
2019 & 2021 Impeachments
The House impeached Trump in December 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction over Ukraine; the Senate acquitted him in February 2020. A second impeachment in January 2021 charged him with inciting the Jan. 6 Capitol riot; the Senate again failed to convict, voting 57-43.
Key Figures
- Donald Trump – former president, initiator.
- Mike Johnson – House Speaker (R-LA) supporting the resolution.
- Darrell Issa – Rep. (R-CA) who filed HR 1211 with 23 co-sponsors.
Timeline
- Feb 5 2020: Senate ends first impeachment trial.
- Feb 7 2020: Trump mentions “expunging” the record.
- Apr 2026: Issa files HR 1211 with 23 co-sponsors.
- May 2026: WSJ reports Johnson and Trump discussing the plan.
Data & Stats
- Two impeachments: Dec 2019, Jan 2021.
- Senate acquittal votes: 52-48 (first) and 57-43 (second).
Why It Matters
The measure would not alter outcomes but could reshape Trump’s legacy and signal partisan lame-duck use.
Official Statements
Trump told the Journal his impeachments were a “rigged deal” that should be erased. Johnson said the effort is a priority and “makes a lot of sense.” Jackson called the votes politically motivated and praised the push as correcting a sham. Gerhardt called the idea “an absurd idea.”
Criticism
Legal experts stress impeachment is a historical fact recorded in the House journal and cannot be erased. Democrats have largely ignored the proposal, and some Republicans doubt it can secure enough votes before the next election.
Conflicting Reports
Sources differ on timing: some say the resolution will be considered after the November 2026 midterms, others suggest an earlier floor vote. No timetable or vote count has been disclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It should be done because I did nothing wrong.” — Donald Trump, former President
- “I think it makes a lot of sense, the more the evidence comes out, the more we know they really were sham impeachments,” — Mike Johnson, House Speaker
- “It’s an absurd idea,” — Michael Gerhardt, law professor, University of North Carolina
- “It’s no surprise that sane individuals are recognizing these sham efforts and are interested in undoing those shameful actions.” — Abigail Jackson, White House spokesperson
What’s Next
If Republicans retain a brief lame-duck majority, HR 1211 could be brought to the floor in December 2026, with potential Supreme Court challenges.
