Democratic representives drop sponsorship of Thanedar's resolution to impeach Trump

Melissa Nann Burke, The Detroit News on May 2, 2025

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WASHINGTON — Four Democratic members of Congress removed their names as original co-sponsors of the articles of impeachment that Michigan U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar introduced this week targeting President Donald Trump.

The lawmakers' offices indicated that Thanedar's staff had not followed up with their bosses to confirm that they wanted to be added to the resolution, with House members having come away from their conversation with Thanedar thinking that Democratic leadership had vetted the measure when that never happened.

The members who had their names removed included U.S. Reps. Jerry Nadler of New York, former chair of the House Judiciary Committee; Jan Schakowsky and Robin Kelly of Illinois; and Kweisi Mfume of Maryland.

Thanedar, who is serving his second term, said he respected his colleagues’ decisions and noted the addition of a co-sponsor in Texas Rep. Al Green. "This is not a decision I came to lightly and can appreciate anyone that wants to think deeply about this," Thanedar said.

"My constituents elected me to do what I think is right, and I felt I had to introduce articles of impeachment in response to the president’s many crimes and unconstitutional activity," Thanedar said in a statement. "These were articles that I drafted, without any other members. As more offices analyze the articles, I hope more will come on board."

The decision by several members to pull their names off of Thanedar's resolution comes after he rolled out seven articles of impeachment Monday without consulting House Democratic leadership, with Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York telling reporters that he'd not reviewed the resolution and hadn't spoken with Thanedar.

"Congressman Mfume removed himself as a cosponsor from H. Res. 353 because he was made aware it was not cleared by Democratic leadership and not fully vetted legally — and he preferred to err on the side of caution," said Ryan Lawrence, a spokesman for Mfume.

A spokeswoman for Kelly said Friday she removed her name from the resolution because she was under the impression that it had been drafted with and reviewed by experts on the House Judiciary panel, but it was not.

Schakowsky's chief of staff, Kate Durkin, told The Detroit News that Thanedar had not confirmed the congresswoman's support with her staff before listing her as a co-sponsor.

Nadler's office didn't respond to a request for comment, but Politico obtained an email that his legislative director sent to Democratic aides after the Thanedar episode, urging them to help one another out by letting staffers know if their boss might have indicated support for a bill during a conversation on the House floor.

"Understandably, members can walk away with different impressions of a conversation, and a quick check-in with staff can go a long way in avoiding confusion," wrote Andrew Heineman, legislative director for Nadler.

“I don't think any of us want to learn that their boss was added to a bill that's been introduced from a Google Alert.”

Thanedar's impeachment effort is unlikely to advance with Republicans controlling both chambers in Congress.

His resolution accuses Trump of obstruction of justice, abuse of executive power and trade powers, usurpation of appropriations powers, bribery and corruption, violating First Amendment rights and "tyrannical overreach."

At a campaign-style rally Tuesday evening in Warren, the Republican president called the Detroit congressman "a lunatic" without mentioning his name.

Thanedar this week put up four "Impeach Trump" billboards around his Wayne County district that covers parts of Detroit, the Grosse Pointes and Downriver communities, using his taxpayer-funded official budget. He told The Detroit News that he didn't know how much it cost.

The News reported this month that Thanedar last year was the House's top spender of taxpayer dollars on TV spots, billboards and other ads to promote himself and his office at $930,000.

Thanedar didn't indicate whether or when he would force the full House to vote on impeaching Trump or if he plans to push for such a vote, which requires a simple majority to pass.

Thanedar said Friday that he "will share future plans soon."

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