Open Letter to Democrats in Congress – May 12, 2026

RE:  IMPEACH PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP NOW OUT OF SELF-INTEREST

The myopic, anemic, feckless orthodoxy among “leadership” Democrats in Congress mulishly resists seeking to impeach President Donald Trump for a counterrevolution against July 4, 1776. Trump has crowned himself with infinite, extraconstitutional powers restrained only by his imaginary moral conscience that daily finds expression in industrial scale murders, criminal, unconstitutional wars of aggression, usurpation of the congressional power of the purse, frontal attacks on free speech and association, unconstitutional preemption of state voting laws and voting rights, and extortion, bribery, and obstruction of justice as a way of life at the White House.  The orthodoxy errantly postulates that initiating impeachment would spike Republican turnout in November and cost the Democrats a chance to regain control of the House and possibly the Senate.

Impeachment now would benefit Democrats. For starters, it would soar turnout among Democrats and independents seeking deliverance from the economic pain inflicted by President Trump’s imperial, plutocratic policies, for example, $1 billion daily for his criminal war of aggression against Iran in partnership with Israel a wild proposed $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget paid for by slashing nutrition and health programs, and starving public service and public works needs. Voters reward political courage and principle.  Spinelessness is not a winning calling card.

Further, some Republicans who have not drunk the Trump cool-aid would have an incentive to ditch the White House to retain their seats in November.  They may recall that Republicans who stood at the barricades with President Richard Nixon until his resignation forced by his own GOP under an impeachment cloud on August 9, 1974, were defeated in the following November congressional elections.

Moreover, the impeachment process itself, including shadow hearings, would educate the American people to President Trump’s infidelity to the American Revolution saluting unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness secured by the rule of law and separation of powers.  Impeachment would sound Mr. Trump’s danger to the Constitution like Paul Revere’s famous ride on April 18, 1775, immortalized by William Henry Longfellow.

Polls show a majority of Americans favor impeaching Mr. Trump now even without further education—55 to 37 percent.  Mr. Trump’s approval ratings have plunged:  58 percent disapproving his performance compared with 39 percent approving—a 19 percent margin. Additionally, nothing on the horizon before November economically or militarily looks promising for President Trump.

See the “Statement from Medical Professionals,” Congressional Record April 30, 2026, on Trump’s mental decline, as well as the detailed report from the New York City Bar, “The Crisis Deepens: Congress Must Act Now to Address Escalating Abuses of Executive Power,” March 9, 2026.

Bruce Fein
Ralph Nader