Progressive Democrats, including Tlaib, say impeachment must lead to real accountability

Progressive House members and candidates are moving away from what they describe as "performative" efforts to impeach President Trump, Axios reported on Oct. 23.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) told Axios in a statement: "No matter what happens in November, we'll still have a Trump administration for the next two years to hold accountable." She said the House Oversight Committee "must continue pressing for real accountability and consequences" for what she called the administration's abuses.

Darializa Avila Chevalier of New York and Melat Kiros of Colorado, described by Axios as likely incoming Democratic House members, struck a similar tone in a recent podcast interview. "I support accountability, but ... that is something that Trump himself seems to want," Avila Chevalier said. "My question is: Is that actually going to be meaningful accountability for the Trump administration?" Kiros said: "The accountability has to actually lead to some material changes."

Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), who has advocated a day-one impeachment, told Axios: "Impeachment can't just be a political messaging strategy." Adam Hamawy, described by Axios as a likely incoming Democratic House member from New Jersey, said any proceedings need to be "a real process with substance, rather than just getting up there and just making a show of it." Rep. Analilia Mejia (D-N.J.) said she is "less inclined to the performative and more inclined to identify what's impactful."

Axios reported that when Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) tried to force a vote on impeaching Trump in June 2025, 128 House Democrats voted with Republicans to block it. By December, 23 Democrats voted to block it. When Green tried again last month, 18 Democrats voted to block it, 147 voted with him to force the vote and 46 voted "present." Green and Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), who also pushed for impeachment, have both lost their reelection bids this year, Axios reported.

Axios said the House could soon vote on an impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, triggered by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) just before lawmakers left for October recess.