A group of congressional Democrats has launched a fresh push to remove President Donald J. Trump from office, filing articles of impeachment against him and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid escalating tensions with Iran. The moves, which also include calls for invoking the 25th Amendment, highlight deep partisan divisions over presidential war powers and foreign policy.
Rep. John Larson (D-CT) introduced 13 articles of impeachment against Trump, accusing him of high crimes and misdemeanors. The resolution, referred to the House Judiciary Committee, alleges that Trump overstepped congressional authority by engaging in unlawful military actions, particularly related to Iran. It cites a pattern of “criminal lawlessness,” including operations in Venezuela, actions in international waters, domestic deployment of federal forces for law enforcement and immigration, and decisions that allegedly endangered U.S. national security.
Larson, who drafted the articles in collaboration with consumer advocate Ralph Nader and constitutional scholar Bruce Fein, argued that Trump’s recent rhetoric— including threats of large-scale destruction against Iran if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened—demonstrated dangerous instability. In a statement, Larson said the president had “blown past every requirement to be removed from office,” risking American lives and inviting potential blowback. He also urged Trump’s Cabinet to invoke Section 4 of the 25th Amendment, which allows the vice president and a majority of cabinet officials to declare the president unfit to discharge his duties.
Separately, Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ) filed articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Ansari accused Hegseth of violating his oath of office through reckless involvement in Iran-related military operations, alleging breaches of constitutional limits on war-making powers and potential war crimes, such as endangering civilians and U.S. servicemembers.
The impeachment efforts coincide with a broader wave of Democratic criticism. Nearly 100 Democratic lawmakers, including more than 70 in the House and several senators, have publicly called for invoking the 25th Amendment. Rep. Jasmine Crockett raised concerns about Trump’s mental fitness in a letter to Vice President JD Vance. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned that if the Cabinet failed to act, Congress should step in to constrain the administration’s military authority. Other members, such as Reps. Ro Khanna and Ilhan Omar, echoed calls for removal, framing Trump’s threats as unhinged and dangerous.
The White House dismissed the actions as purely political. Spokesman Davis Ingle called the impeachment push “pathetic,” stating, “Democrats have been talking about impeaching President Trump since before he was even sworn into office.” He described congressional Democrats as “deranged, weak, and ineffective.”
Despite the strong rhetoric, the initiatives face steep obstacles. Republicans control both chambers of Congress, making it highly unlikely that impeachment articles will advance or result in a Senate conviction. Invoking the 25th Amendment would require cooperation from Trump’s own Cabinet, widely seen as loyal to the president.
The developments come as the U.S. navigates a period of heightened Iran tensions, including military actions and subsequent de-escalation signals. Analysts view the Democratic moves as largely symbolic, aimed at signaling opposition and shaping the narrative ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Trump was impeached twice during his first term, but neither effort led to removal.
This episode underscores longstanding debates over the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches on matters of war and national security. As political attention shifts toward the midterms, these tensions are expected to intensify.
