Donald Trump has voiced his apprehensions about a potential third impeachment attempt, fearing it could arise if Republicans do not secure victory in the upcoming midterm elections.
The former President of the United States, who has faced impeachment proceedings twice before, shared his concerns on January 6. He cautioned that Democrats might seek another impeachment if Republicans fail to unite.
This unexpected revelation of vulnerability signifies a notable shift for Trump, who often presents himself as immune to legal challenges and public scrutiny.
“You got to win the midterms, because if we don’t win the midterms, they’ll find a reason to impeach me,” Trump stated as he sought to galvanize voters. “I’ll get impeached.”
With crucial midterm elections approaching, which could potentially weaken the Republican hold on the US, Trump’s warning is the first sign that he might not be entirely confident in maintaining his influence.
Throughout the initial year of Trump’s second term, Democrats have been making steady gains in polls, with voter concerns centering on issues like immigration policies, foreign relations, and his economic management.
Trump spoke to representatives at the beginning of a day-long policy forum for House Republicans at the Trump-Kennedy Center on Tuesday, a venue recently renamed to honor him.
The former president acknowledged that his policies hadn’t fully resonated with the public while criticizing the media for not highlighting his accomplishments, such as his immigration record and his deal to reduce certain prescription drug prices.
Interestingly, these weren’t the topics he wanted Republicans to emphasize in their campaigns. Instead, he urged them to focus on contentious subjects like transgender women’s participation in sports and addressing violent crime.
He also called on the party to resolve internal conflicts and present a united front if they hope to overcome the Democrats in the elections.
Trump encouraged House Republicans to reclaim health care as a political issue, especially regarding abortion legislation.
Many pro-life Republicans have raised concerns about the discourse surrounding the Hyde Amendment, a law restricting federal funds for abortions, except in specific cases, since the 1980s.
Trump advised his party to be ‘flexible’ on the matter, saying, “You got to be a little flexible. You got to work something. We’re all big fans of everything but you got to have flexibility.”
He is also eager to introduce new guidelines on mandatory voter ID, a topic of significant interest to him, particularly after the January 6 Capitol riots, which were fueled by his unfounded claims that the 2020 election was ‘stolen’ by Joe Biden.