Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee introduced 26 articles of impeachment against Donald Trump on Thursday, calling him "the most impeachable President our country has ever endured," 40 days before a midterm that forecasters say Republicans are likely to lose along with the House.
Cohen sits on the House Judiciary Committee, the panel that writes impeachment articles when a majority wants them written. He filed five against Trump in November 2017. This time he filed 26 — more than the 11 the House adopted against Andrew Johnson in 1868.
The articles start with the vote. Article I charges Trump with sowing doubt in elections. Article II charges him with waging war on Iran without Congress. Article III names the killings of people on boats in international waters off Venezuela. Article IV covers troops in American cities. From there the list runs through the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case, the prison at CECOT, the tariffs Cohen calls an unlawful tax, the prosecutions of James Comey, Letitia James and Adam Schiff, the pardons, the reporters thrown out of the White House, the pressure on CBS and ABC, the law firms, the universities, the East Wing demolition and, at Article XXVI, profiting personally from the presidency.
Cohen did not pretend the resolution would move. "That the sycophantic Republican majority in Congress is derelict in its duty does not mean that I must abandon my responsibilities," he said. Then he said who the document is really for: "I sincerely believe that the 120th Congress will better live up to its duties as co-equal branch of government."
The 120th Congress convenes on January 3. Cohen has written its first draft.
Nine days ago the House showed what the vote looks like today — and which Democrats are already counting seats.
