Democratic Representative Al Green of Texas announced on August 24 that he would force a vote this week on a resolution to impeach President Donald Trump, marking the ninth such attempt since 2017. The resolution, H.Res. 1486, accuses Trump of abusing presidential powers by allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to operate without accountability. Green cited the deaths of four individuals this year as part of his rationale, including Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis in January, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston in July, and Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Maine.
The resolution was introduced under House Rule IX, a procedural mechanism that requires the chamber to act within two legislative days. This sets up a potential vote before the House adjourns on Thursday, August 29. Green notified colleagues on Monday, August 26, that he would bring the measure to the floor, framing it as a question of privilege under House rules.
As of the announcement, no other members of Congress had signed on as co-sponsors, according to congressional records. House Democratic leadership has not endorsed the resolution, with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York stating that the party’s focus remains on economic issues such as the cost of living. Jeffries declined to commit to impeachment efforts if Democrats regain the House majority in the November midterm elections, telling ABC’s This Week on Sunday that the party has not ruled anything in or out.
The White House responded through spokeswoman Lauren Beis, who criticized the resolution. The impeachment effort comes as Green, who lost his primary in May 2024, prepares to leave Congress at the end of the year. His previous impeachment attempts have consistently failed to gain significant traction, including a vote in June 2025 where 127 House Democrats joined Republicans to quash a similar measure.
Green has been a vocal critic of Trump, including being removed from both of Trump’s joint addresses to Congress during this term. During Trump’s most recent address, Green waved a cane and shouted, while earlier this year, he held up a sign reading “Black People Aren’t Apes” during the State of the Union.
Key Details of the Resolution
The resolution, H.Res. 1486, centers on allegations that Trump’s administration enabled unaccountable actions by federal immigration officers, which Green argues constitute an abuse of power. The document specifically cites the deaths of the four individuals, framing their killings as examples of unjustified use of force by ICE and CBP personnel. Green has accused Trump of “condoning, supporting, and covering up” such actions, though the resolution does not provide additional legal or procedural specifics beyond these claims.
Under House rules, a privileged resolution like this one automatically triggers a floor vote if a member invokes Rule IX. The process requires the chamber to consider the measure within two legislative days, meaning the House must act by Wednesday, August 28, or the resolution would expire. This procedural route bypasses the typical committee review process, making it a rare and high-stakes maneuver.
Political Context and Responses
Democratic leadership’s reluctance to endorse the resolution reflects broader party strategy ahead of the November midterms. Minority Leader Jeffries has repeatedly emphasized economic concerns, including inflation and housing costs, as the party’s top priorities. His comments on This Week underscored this stance, stating that Democrats have not ruled out any legislative options but are prioritizing issues with direct impact on voters.
The White House’s response, delivered by spokeswoman Beis, criticized the resolution as politically motivated and lacking substantive legal grounds. Beis did not provide further details on the administration’s defense but framed the impeachment effort as an attempt to distract from policy failures.
Historical Precedent and Green’s Role
Green has led six of the eight previous impeachment attempts against Trump since 2017, all of which failed to advance beyond initial procedural steps. His latest effort is notable for its timing, coming as Green’s congressional career nears its end following his primary loss. The resolution also marks a shift in focus, targeting immigration enforcement policies rather than the broader allegations of obstruction or abuse of power that characterized earlier impeachment drives.
The procedural route chosen by Green—invoking Rule IX—is designed to force immediate action but carries significant political risks. Past attempts have been criticized as symbolic gestures with little chance of success, and this resolution is expected to follow a similar path unless unexpected support emerges. As of the announcement, no additional co-sponsors had signed on, and the resolution’s fate remains uncertain.