WASHINGTON — In a move that has become almost ritualistic on Capitol Hill, Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green launched his seventh attempt to impeach President Donald Trump earlier this month, only to see it swiftly quashed by a bipartisan vote in the House. The failed effort, which accused Trump of authoritarian tendencies and threats against lawmakers and judges, underscores the deep partisan rifts in Congress while highlighting Green’s unyielding crusade against the twice-elected president.
The vote on Dec. 12 to table — or effectively kill — Green’s resolution came down 237-140, with a notable 23 Democrats joining Republicans to bury the measure without debate. Another 47 Democrats opted for “present,” a neutral stance that avoided outright support or opposition. This latest defeat marks yet another chapter in Green’s long-running saga of impeachment bids, all of which have fizzled out without advancing to a Senate trial.
Green, a 78-year-old civil rights veteran representing Houston’s 9th District, has positioned himself as one of Trump’s most vocal critics since the former president’s first term. His persistence reflects a broader anxiety among some progressives about Trump’s return to power in January 2025, but it also exposes fractures within the Democratic Party, where leaders view such solo efforts as distractions from more pressing battles.
A History of Unyielding Pursuit
Green’s impeachment odyssey began in December 2017, just months into Trump’s first presidency. His initial resolution, H.Res. 646, accused Trump of obstructing justice by interfering in the FBI’s investigation into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. The House voted to table it, setting a pattern that would repeat.
Undeterred, Green followed up in January 2018 with H.Res. 705, alleging “high misdemeanors” tied to abuse of power. Again, it was shelved. By July 2019, amid growing tensions over Trump’s comments on race and immigration, Green introduced H.Res. 498, charging the president with inflammatory rhetoric and power abuses. That bid failed 332-95, with even some Democrats criticizing Green for forcing a premature vote that could undermine the party’s strategy.
A lesser-known fourth attempt in March 2019 echoed similar themes of offensive statements and policies but didn’t gain formal traction, often seen as an extension of the prior effort. Green’s official website lists only the first three attempts, perhaps reflecting a focus on his earlier, more publicized pushes.
The saga resumed in 2025 after Trump’s landslide reelection in November 2024. In May, shortly after Trump’s inauguration, Green cited rally promises as grounds for impeachment, but it was quickly dismissed. June brought a more substantive charge: H.Res. 537 accused Trump of violating the Constitution by ordering military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz, and Estahan — without congressional approval, breaching Article I, Section 8. Tabled on the day it was introduced, June 24, it highlighted Green’s shift toward foreign policy critiques.
Now, in December, Green’s seventh resolution leveled two articles: one for abuse of power stemming from a social media post suggesting lawmakers could face execution for criticizing military orders, and another for threatening federal judges. Green took to the House floor, warning that Trump represented a “threat to democracy” and exhibited “authoritarian” leanings that eroded checks and balances and free speech.
“I will not stand idly by while our institutions are undermined,” Green declared in a passionate speech, later shared on YouTube. His actions, he argued, were a moral imperative, not political theater.
The Vote and Internal Democratic Turmoil
The Dec. 12 vote revealed stark divisions. While all Republicans united to table the resolution, the 23 Democratic “yea” votes included heavyweights like former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. These moderates and leaders have long viewed Green’s freelance impeachments as counterproductive, especially in a GOP-controlled House where such measures have zero chance of success.
Jeffries, in particular, has emphasized party unity on issues like border security and economic policy rather than symbolic fights. “This is a lone-wolf move,” one anonymous Democratic aide told the Houston Chronicle, echoing criticisms from 2019 when Green’s pushes were blamed for complicating the official impeachment inquiries led by Pelosi.
On the flip side, Green garnered support from fellow Texas Democrats like Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett, who voted against tabling. Progressives in committees also backed him, seeing the effort as a way to spotlight Trump’s post-election rhetoric. Yet the 47 “present” votes — including from figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — signaled ambivalence, a tactical dodge to avoid alienating bases without endorsing a doomed cause.
For Green, the defeat was bittersweet. He framed it as a “moral victory,” telling reporters it amplified concerns about Trump’s behavior. “History will judge those who stood silent,” he said.
Republican Backlash and Broader Context
From the White House, the response was dismissive. Trump allies labeled the bid a “PR stunt” fueled by “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” a term often used to mock obsessive critics. A statement from the administration stressed Trump’s focus on “real issues” like cracking down on crime and bolstering border security, dismissing the accusations as “baseless.”
House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, celebrated the vote as proof of Trump’s solid backing. “This is the seventh time Rep. Green has tried this, and the seventh time he’s failed,” Johnson said on Fox News. “It’s time to move on and govern.”
The episode unfolds against a tense post-election backdrop. Trump’s second term began amid controversy, including his rapid deployment of National Guard troops to urban areas and aggressive foreign policy moves. With Republicans holding the House majority, impeachment thresholds — a simple majority to pass articles, followed by a two-thirds Senate conviction — remain insurmountable for Democrats.
Analysts note that Green’s efforts, while principled, risk diluting the impeachment tool. “Impeachment is meant for high crimes, not policy disagreements,” said Sarah Binder, a congressional expert at the Brookings Institution. “Repeated failures make it seem like a partisan weapon rather than a constitutional safeguard.”
This mirrors 2019, when Green’s premature push irked Democrats planning a coordinated strategy around the Ukraine scandal, which ultimately led to Trump’s first impeachment. Now, with Trump in control of the executive and GOP dominance in Congress, such bids serve more as protest than policy.
Implications for Democracy and the Future
Green’s string of failures — encapsulated in the viral quip “All He Does Is Fail” — illustrates both his tenacity and isolation. A civil rights activist who survived an assassination attempt in the 1970s, Green draws from a legacy of resistance. Yet critics argue his approach erodes his credibility, potentially harming Democrats in swing districts.
Politically, these attempts keep the narrative of “Trump as a democratic threat” alive in media cycles, energizing the progressive base. But they may backfire, reinforcing Trump’s image as a victim of endless witch hunts, a theme that fueled his 2024 comeback.
Looking ahead, Green has vowed to persist. In a November 2025 video, he pledged ongoing vigilance: “As long as threats to our republic exist, so will my resolve.” With Republicans poised to maintain control through at least 2026 midterms, success seems unlikely. Still, his actions remind us that impeachment, as a political mechanism, often reveals more about Congress’s divisions than presidential misconduct.
In an era of hyper-partisanship, Green’s quixotic quest embodies the frustration of the minority party. Whether it inspires change or fades into obscurity, it cements his role as Trump’s most dogged congressional foe — one whose failures speak volumes about America’s polarized politics.
As the House adjourns for the holidays, the question lingers: Will there be an eighth attempt? For now, Trump remains unscathed, focused on his agenda, while Green prepares for the next round in this enduring Capitol drama.