A petition calling for President Donald Trump’s impeachment has received over 100,000 signatures just a few days into his second term.
The White House was contacted for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The support for Trump’s impeachment reflects the country’s deep political divisions, as well as the reaction to his campaign and actions in the early days of his second term.
Trump was impeached twice during his first term, but the Senate acquitted him both times.
What to Know
The petition was launched by the nonprofit Free Speech for People on the same day that Trump returned to the White House.
It urges Congress to launch an impeachment investigation into alleged violations of the Emoluments Clauses, which prohibit a president from profiting from the United States, individual states, or foreign governments, as well as his “unlawful” and “corrupt” campaign conduct and pardoning of those involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
The campaign added new grounds for an impeachment investigation on Thursday, citing other actions Trump has taken since returning to office, such as his executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship for certain children born in the United States.
It also claims that he illegally fired inspector generals and members of the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board, and that he is abusing his power to “seek retribution against perceived enemies.”
“Free Speech for People is calling on Congress to launch an immediate impeachment investigation to determine whether there are sufficient grounds to impeach Donald Trump for offenses that have already occurred and that will continue in the days to come,” the petition’s title states.
“Congress must also be prepared to expand its investigation if Trump undertakes any of the other impeachable actions that he has threatened to carry out.”
What People Are Saying
Alexandra Flores-Quilty, Free Speech for People’s campaign director, said in a statement: “The overwhelming support for impeachment demonstrates that the American public is unwilling to accept King Trump.
“We need bold leaders in Congress willing to stand up and hold Trump accountable for his abuses of power and initiate an impeachment inquiry.”
According to John Bonifaz, co-founder and president of Free Speech for People, Trump continues to take lawless and unconstitutional actions. He has been in office for less than two weeks, and the impeachable offenses are piling up. We must hold a president accountable when he abuses his power.”
Meanwhile, Republicans have overwhelmingly praised and defended Trump’s actions since his return to office. However, some people opposed the pardoning of January 6 defendants convicted of violent crimes.
In a letter inviting Trump to address a joint session of Congress, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that “America’s Golden Age has begun.” Because of your strong leadership and bold action in the first days of your presidency, the United States has already seen a resurgence of patriotism, unity, and hope for the future.”
What’s Next
Efforts to impeach Trump for the third time are unlikely to succeed as long as Republicans control both the House and the Senate.
However, if Democrats win control of the House in the 2026 midterm elections, they may try to impeach Trump again.
