Less than a month into President Donald Trump’s second term, efforts have commenced to impeach him.
This movement follows Trump’s announcement of his plan to “own” the Gaza Strip, which aims to bring “stability” to the Middle East. However, this plan involves displacing two million Palestinians residing in Gaza.
During a press conference at the White House on February 4, alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the 47th President of the United States unveiled his intention to “take over” the Gaza Strip. He did not dismiss the possibility of employing US military action.
“The only reason the Palestinians want to go back to Gaza is they have no alternative; it’s right now a demolition site,” he stated.
“This is just a demolition site. Virtually every building is down.”
Trump proposed relocating all Palestinians to neighboring countries such as Egypt and Jordan.
“The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it, too,” he continued.
“We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site.”
He attempted to present his proposal positively, indicating plans to develop the Gaza Strip and create numerous jobs, stating it would be something for the Middle East to take pride in.
Trump’s plan has faced significant backlash, with several human rights advocates labeling it as “ethnic cleansing by another name.”
Chris Van Hollen, a Democratic senator from Maryland, commented, “Trump’s proposal to push 2 million Palestinians out of Gaza and take ‘ownership’ by force, if necessary, is simply ethnic cleansing by another name.”
“This declaration will give ammunition to Iran and other adversaries while undermining our Arab partners in the region. It defies decades of bipartisan American support for a two-state solution… Congress must stand up to this dangerous and reckless scheme.”
Al Green, a representative from Texas, criticized Trump for suggesting the removal of Palestinians from their homeland and taking control of what he referred to as the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
“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,” Green stated.
“And the prime minister of Israel should be ashamed, knowing the history of his people, to stand there and allow such things to be said.”
“Dr [Martin Luther] King was right. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, and injustice in Gaza is a threat to justice in the United States of America.”
He added, “I rise to announce that the movement to impeach the president has begun. I rise to announce that I will bring articles of impeachment against the president for dastardly deeds proposed, and dastardly deeds done.”
“[The] impeachment movement is going to be a grass-up movement, not a top-down.”
He continued, “When the people demand it, it will be done.”
Once Al Green introduces the articles of impeachment against Trump, the House of Representatives will vote. If a majority supports the motion, Trump would be impeached.
Subsequently, the Senate conducts an impeachment trial, presided over by the US Supreme Court chief justice due to the involvement of the president.
If found guilty, Trump would be removed from office.
However, experts believe Green may face challenges with his impeachment efforts. Pete Aguilar, the No. 3 House Democrat, told Politico it was not “an immediate focus of his caucus,” with the general sentiment being that impeachment is not currently on the Democrats’ agenda.
This is not the first time Al Green has pursued impeachment against Trump. During Trump’s first term, Green attempted to file multiple impeachments.
Trump was impeached in 2019 and again in 2021, marking him as the first US president to be impeached twice.