Efforts by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-NY) and her colleagues to impeach President Donald Trump for his military action against Iran faced significant opposition on Monday when a key Democratic senator indicated that the proposal would not progress in his chamber.
Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), who endorsed Trump’s decision to strike Iran on Sunday, dismissed speculation that Democrats would attempt to compel Republicans to initiate impeachment proceedings against Trump. The already far-fetched notion gained traction after Democratic leaders accused President Trump of acting unconstitutionally by initiating a “war,” a power that is constitutionally reserved for Congress.
“Of course, no [he should not be impeached],” the Pennsylvania Democrat stated during an interview with Fox News on Monday.
“She knows it. I know it. We all know it… that’s not going anywhere. He’s been impeached twice, and now he’s still our president as well too, so it’s not going anywhere, and I don’t think [bringing it up is] helpful.”
Fetterman’s comments followed AOC’s suggestion of impeaching Trump for a historic third time after 14 “bunker buster” bombs were dropped on Iranian nuclear enrichment sites in the early hours of Sunday morning.
“The President’s disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization is a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers,” the Bronx representative stated shortly after the news of the strike was made public.
Fetterman indicated that the casual use of the term “impeachment” diminishes its significance.
“I believe that when you casually use that term, it actually lessens the gravity of what impeachment is truly meant for,” he remarked.
AOC’s appeal was met with a response from progressive Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL).
“I am not asserting that we possess the votes to impeach,” Casten stated. “What I am asserting is that this should not be done without the approval of Congress,” he expressed on social media.
Conversely, other Democratic leaders exhibited more caution in their reactions to the strike.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) asserted that Trump “failed to obtain congressional authorization for military action and jeopardizes American involvement in a potentially catastrophic conflict in the Middle East.”
“Donald Trump bears full and complete responsibility for any negative outcomes resulting from his unilateral military actions,” Jeffries further stated in a declaration.
On Sunday, Vice President J.D. Vance attempted to justify Trump’s capacity to execute a preemptive strike before Iran could retaliate against Israel, which could potentially involve U.S. outposts throughout the region.
“To begin with, the president possesses clear authority to act in order to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction,” Vice President J.D. Vance stated during an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday. “The notion that this action was beyond presidential authority is something that any serious legal expert would refute.”
GOP Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) referenced past military actions taken by former presidents as precedents demonstrating that Trump was justified in ordering the initial U.S. strike.
“For my colleagues who are now calling for impeachment, it is utterly ridiculous,” Lawler contended on “Fox & Friends.” “Barack Obama conducted military operations in Libya, Syria, Pakistan, and Yemen during his presidency, and never once did they call for impeachment. Therefore, these individuals are truly reaching unprecedented levels of Trump derangement following yesterday’s decision.”
