Full Breakdown
Trump Seeks Congressional Expungement of His Impeachments
6/13/2026, 3:27:55 AM
Push for Congressional Expungement
President Donald Trump is urging Republican lawmakers to pass a House resolution that would “expunge” the two impeachments adopted during his first term—December 2019 and January 2021. The proposal, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, would symbolically nullify the articles of impeachment in the congressional record. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has confirmed discussions with Trump and legal advisers, and Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) has introduced HR 1211 to effect the expungement. Sources indicate the measure is unlikely to be brought to a floor vote before the November 2026 midterm elections, with proponents preferring a lame-duck session if Republicans lose their majority.
Historical and Legal Context
Trump is the first president to be impeached twice. The first impeachment charged him with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress over a Ukraine-related request; the Senate acquitted him in February 2020. The second impeachment alleged incitement of insurrection following the Jan. 6 Capitol attack; the Senate acquitted him in February 2021. Only three presidents—Andrew Johnson (1868), Bill Clinton (1998), and Trump—have been impeached, all acquitted. Constitutional scholars note that the Constitution contains no mechanism to reverse or erase an impeachment once adopted, making any expungement purely symbolic.
Key Actors and Legislative Vehicle
- Donald Trump – former president, primary advocate of the expungement.
- Mike Johnson – House Speaker, has expressed that the proposal “makes a lot of sense.”
- Darrell Issa – sponsor of HR 1211, the resolution to expunge both impeachments.
- Jim Jordan – Judiciary Committee Chairman, co-sponsor of the measure.
- Abigail Jackson – White House spokesperson, defending the effort as a correction of “sham” actions.
- Michael Gerhardt – University of North Carolina law professor, legal critic.
- Kevin McCarthy – former Speaker, noted willingness to consider the proposal.
- Adam Schiff and Ted Lieu – Democratic leaders opposing the effort.
Data & Statistics
- Two impeachments: Dec 2019 (abuse of power, obstruction) and Jan 2021 (incitement of insurrection).
- Senate acquittals: 52-48 (first) and 57-43 (second).
- Prior impeachments: Andrew Johnson (1868), Bill Clinton (1998).
- HR 1211 has more than 20 co-sponsors as of June 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
Trump has repeatedly asserted that the impeachments were “rigged” and that “it should be done because I did nothing wrong.” Johnson told the press the resolution “makes a lot of sense” given new evidence. Jackson described the impeachments as “phoney attacks” and framed the expungement as a step toward “doing what’s best for the American people.” Legal analysts, including Gerhardt, emphasized that Congress lacks constitutional authority to erase an impeachment, limiting the measure to a symbolic gesture.
Criticism & Opposition
Democratic impeachment managers, including Adam Schiff, argue there is “no expunging the stain of Trump’s two impeachments.” Schiff and Rep. Ted Lieu have urged hearings to keep the record of the charges alive. Gerhardt labeled the proposal “an absurd idea,” noting that “Congress doesn’t have this power.” Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) called the plan “silly,” reflecting intra-party discomfort.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the timing of any floor vote: some indicate the resolution will wait until after the November elections, while others suggest a possible introduction in the lame-duck session. No formal Senate action has been reported, and the exact number of Republican votes needed remains uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It should be done because I did nothing wrong.” — Donald Trump, former President
- “There is no expunging the stain of Trump’s two impeachments,” — Adam Schiff, U.S. Senator
- “It’s an absurd idea,” — Michael Gerhardt, law professor, University of North Carolina
- “I would understand why members would want to bring that forward.” — Kevin McCarthy, former House Speaker
- “Trump-deranged Democrats have spent years launching phoney attacks against the president and weaponising the government against him,” — Abigail Jackson, White House spokesperson
What’s Next
If Republicans retain a House majority, leadership may schedule HR 1211 for consideration after the midterms, potentially during the lame-duck session. Legal scholars anticipate that any resolution will have no effect on the historical record, but the effort could influence public perception of the impeachments and shape the political narrative surrounding Trump’s 2028 campaign prospects.
