U.S. Representative Al Green from Houston, Texas, has announced his plans to file impeachment articles against President Donald Trump. This marks the fifth time since 2017 that Green has sought to impeach Trump. This current move is in response to comments made by the president during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the Gaza Strip.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. Green, who represents Texas’ 9th congressional district, cited Trump’s suggestion to claim ownership of the Gaza Strip and relocate Palestinians as a case of “ethnic cleansing.” Green has been a persistent critic of Trump since the president’s first term.
During his announcement, Green stated, “Ethnic cleansing in Gaza is not a joke, especially when it emanates from the President of the United States, the most powerful person in the world.” The Texas Democrat argued that Trump’s comments amount to a crime against humanity requiring immediate congressional intervention. He underscored that “injustice in Gaza is a threat to justice in the United States.”
This new impeachment effort by Green is one of the fastest attempts against a U.S. president following inauguration. Green’s previous impeachment attempts against Trump began in 2017, making him the first Congress member to formally call for Trump’s removal from office. His initial effort was supported by 58 House Democrats. He also co-led the second impeachment attempt following the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot.
House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Trump’s Gaza proposal, describing it as a “bold, decisive action” to ensure regional peace. However, Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have not supported Green’s impeachment initiative. Representative Pete Aguilar stated that impeachment is not a focus of the Democratic caucus, reflecting a pattern of limited Democratic support for Green’s previous impeachment campaigns.
Green is a member of the House Financial Services Committee and is the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. His congressional career has primarily focused on corporate accountability and consumer protection, seeking to bridge economic disparities and foster financial fairness. His past impeachment efforts included charges relating to Trump’s defense of white nationalists after the Charlottesville rally and criticism of NFL players kneeling during the national anthem.
Green emphasized a grassroots-led impeachment movement, stating, “The people have to demand it, and when they demand it, it will be done,” he declared. Green has continually insisted that public demand, not political machinations, should drive impeachment efforts. He stated that “the people have got to move forward” for impeachment to succeed.
The proposed impeachment articles face a formidable challenge in the Republican-dominated House, where the GOP holds a marginal majority. While Green’s previous impeachment attempts garnered some Democratic support, with his third effort in July 2019 receiving 95 votes, up from the initial 58 in December 2017, other Democrats have criticized Trump’s Gaza comments without fully endorsing impeachment. Republican responses have varied, with some supporting Trump’s proposal as a regional security solution while others reject it outright.
Green’s persistent impeachment efforts have elicited both commendation and criticism within his party. During previous attempts, some Democrats warned that his actions could backfire politically, especially after he stated, “I’m concerned if we don’t impeach this president, he will get re-elected.” Republicans later used this comment to challenge the legitimacy of subsequent impeachment proceedings. Critics within the Democratic Party have suggested that repeated impeachment attempts might undermine the gravity of the process and potentially alienate moderate voters.
Green’s latest impeachment effort comes amid broader Democratic concerns about Trump’s foreign policy declarations. His focus on the Gaza Strip proposal reflects an escalating debate within Congress regarding U.S. involvement in Middle East policy. While some lawmakers regard Trump’s suggestion as a potential solution to regional conflicts, others, like Green, view it as a perilous proposal that could heighten tensions and violate international law.