Dems zero in on ruthless impeachment scheme that sidesteps trap that saved Trump

Democrats weighing what to do if they retake Congress next year are increasingly eyeing a strategy that sidesteps the trap that doomed both of their previous attempts to impeach President Donald Trump.

One of the president's most persistent critics boosted the idea of impeaching Trump's cabinet secretaries to hold the administration accountable, and Democrats say the threat has already worked, reported MS NOW.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a move that reportedly rattled House GOP leadership enough that they sent members home for campaign season even earlier than planned rather than risk a floor vote.

Massie and some Democrats believe the resolution could have picked up nearly every Democratic vote plus enough Republicans to pass — an outcome that would have embarrassed both Trump and GOP leadership.

"Impeaching cabinet members," Massie said, "is highly underrated."

Unlike Trump, who twice survived impeachment because Senate Republicans refused to supply the 67 votes needed to convict, cabinet secretaries carry far less political weight for the GOP to defend.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), who would likely lead any impeachment push as the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, said the threat alone has already proven effective.

He pointed to impeachment resolutions filed or drafted against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi, both of whom left their posts amid the pressure.

"They were such a disaster, " Raskin said, "the administration just ended up having to get rid of them on their own."

Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-VA), a member of the House Oversight Committee, argued that even a doomed impeachment vote could "create enough of a distraction" that the White House cuts an official loose.

"Trump has been impeached twice," Walkinshaw said. "Pete Hegseth has not."

Not every Democrat is sold. Lawmakers including Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY) and Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Peter Welch (D-VT) argued the party's energy is better spent on affordability legislation than on impeachment fights, win or lose.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) warned that Trump has repeatedly turned failed impeachments to his advantage, calling him "a genius at playing the victim."

Even Massie, who forced the issue, cautioned Democrats against overreach once Trump's popularity dips after the midterms. "Don't get too crazy," he said — before predicting they probably will anyway.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has left the door open without committing to anything.

"We haven't ruled anything out," he said, "and we haven't ruled anything in."