Politics Within Politics: Why Democrats Aren’t Supporting Shri Thanedar’s Trump Impeachment Motion

The recent impeachment motion filed by Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI) against President Donald Trump is facing a notable lack of support from fellow Democrats, including party leadership. This situation appears to stem from multiple factors, including questions about timing, political strategy, and internal Democratic party dynamics in Michigan’s 13th District.

According to reporting, Democratic leadership and caucus members were “furious” about Thanedar’s timing in forcing a vote on his impeachment articles. His move came precisely when Democrats were focused on countering the Republican tax bill being debated this week. Party leaders view Thanedar’s impeachment push as an unwelcome distraction from their coordinated messaging strategy.

This timing issue reflects a broader concern within the Democratic caucus about strategic alignment. With Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress, Thanedar’s impeachment effort has virtually no chance of success. Democratic leadership appears to prefer focusing resources on achievable legislative goals and effective messaging rather than symbolic gestures.

Axios reported that privately, House Democrats are being far less conciliatory. “This is a self-own that … fundamentally undermines our capacity to continue to have a conversation with people we need to win over,” one told Axios on the condition of anonymity. Another House Democrat, reportedly said, “Why would we do something that has failed twice as a strategy and yielded no electoral win? The guy got impeached twice, how did it work out for us?” A third told Axios: “It seems self-serving and not a genuine effort to rein in the president.”

Primary Politics in Michigan’s 13th District

The impeachment push coincides with significant political challenges for Thanedar in his home district. Just one day before Thanedar moved to force a vote on his impeachment resolution, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) publicly endorsed state Rep. Donavan McKinney’s bid to unseat Thanedar in the 2026 Democratic primary.

The timing of Tlaib’s endorsement of Thanedar’s primary challenger, combined with criticism from multiple Michigan lawmakers, suggests that local political tensions are significantly influencing this national impeachment effort.

Tlaib’s endorsement included pointed criticism of Thanedar’s representation, stating that his constituents “deserve better representation” and that his leadership style is “missing for residents in the 13th.” McKinney has also secured backing from Justice Democrats, a progressive group that previously supported Tlaib and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, along with endorsements from 14 current and former state lawmakers.

According to Michigan Live, Thanedar and Tlaib have had a public spat before. “After Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel in October 2023, Thanedar announced he was withdrawing his membership in the Democratic Socialists of America. He said the DSA, of which Tlaib is a member, was unwilling to call out terrorism.”

Some House Democrats reportedly view Thanedar’s impeachment push as an attempt to divert attention from his primary challengers. This perception has apparently backfired, with one anonymous lawmaker indicating that Thanedar’s move is causing some colleagues to consider endorsing one of his opponents.

Procedural Missteps

Thanedar’s approach to gathering support for his impeachment resolution has also raised concerns. Four lawmakers previously listed as co-sponsors requested to have their names removed from the measure, with their offices indicating that Thanedar’s staff failed to properly confirm their support. These representatives reportedly came away from conversations with Thanedar believing Democratic leadership had vetted the measure when that had not occurred.

Such procedural missteps suggest a lack of coordination with party leadership and proper internal communication, which typically precedes major political moves like impeachment resolutions.

The limited support for Thanedar’s impeachment effort illustrates the complex interplay between national policy objectives and local political dynamics. While Thanedar frames his move as responding to constituents demanding pushback against President Trump, particularly regarding the potential Emoluments Clause violation involving a Boeing 747-8 gift from Qatar, his Democratic colleagues appear more concerned with effective party strategy and questions about his political motives.

The timing of Tlaib’s endorsement of Thanedar’s primary challenger, combined with criticism from multiple Michigan lawmakers, suggests that local political tensions are significantly influencing this national impeachment effort. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Thanedar’s move will strengthen his position in his district or further alienate him from Democratic party leadership and colleagues.