An unexpectedly high number of Democrats voted in favor of an effort to launch impeachment proceedings against President Trump
Donald TrumpNoem touts South Dakota coronavirus response, knocks lockdowns in CPAC speech On The Trail: Cuomo and Newsom — a story of two embattled governors McCarthy: 'I would bet my house' GOP takes back lower chamber in 2022 MORE on Wednesday, revealing the growing agitation among liberals to remove him from office.
The House voted overwhelmingly 364-58 to table a resolution from Rep. Al Green
Alexander (Al) N. GreenBiden pledges support for Texas amid recovery from winter storm Biden turns focus to winter storm with Texas trip LIVE COVERAGE: Senate opens Trump's second impeachment trial MORE (D-Texas) laying out articles of impeachment against Trump, with four Democrats voting “present.”
All Republicans voted with 126 Democrats to defeat the resolution. Those Democrats included Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiMcCarthy: 'I would bet my house' GOP takes back lower chamber in 2022 After vote against coronavirus relief package, Golden calls for more bipartisanship in Congress Democrats don't trust GOP on 1/6 commission: 'These people are dangerous' MORE (Calif.) and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer
Steny Hamilton HoyerHouse set for tight vote on COVID-19 relief package Key Democrat unveils plan to restore limited earmarks Overnight Defense: Biden sends message with Syria airstrike | US intel points to Saudi crown prince in Khashoggi killing | Pentagon launches civilian-led sexual assault commission MORE (Md.), who announced ahead of the vote they would vote to table the effort.
They cited the ongoing investigations by congressional committees and the FBI special counsel.
“Now is not the time to consider articles of impeachment,” Pelosi and Hoyer said.
Yet 58 Democrats, including Green, voted against tabling the resolution. Reps. Joaquin Castro
Joaquin CastroState Department establishes chief officer in charge of diversity Texas governor faces criticism over handling of winter storm fallout DC bureau chief for The Intercept: Impeachment managers became 'like the dog who caught the car' when permitted to call witnesses MORE (Texas), Marc Veasey
Marc Allison VeaseyHouse Democrats criticize Texas's 'shortcomings in preparations' on winter storms The Memo: Democrats grapple with 'elite' tag Two lawmakers announce bids to succeed Bustos at DCCC MORE (Texas), Carol Shea-Porter
Carol Shea-PorterThe 31 Trump districts that will determine the next House majority New Hampshire New Members 2019 Democrat Chris Pappas wins New Hampshire House seat MORE (N.H.) and Terri Sewell
Terrycina (Terri) Andrea SewellCongressional Black Caucus unveils '100 Day Plan' Six ways to visualize a divided America Lobbying world MORE (Ala.) voted “present.” Shea-Porter represents a district won by Trump in 2016.
“The resolution received fifty-seven more votes than many expected. This is the first vote, but it will not be the last,” Green said in a statement.
Here’s a look at the Democrats who voted in favor of starting to impeach Trump.
Impeachment agitators
A handful of Democrats apart from Green had also been calling for Trump’s impeachment. Lawmakers including Reps. Maxine Waters
Maxine Moore WatersLawmakers, Martin Luther King III discuss federal responses to systematic racism The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by The AIDS Institute - Ahead: One-shot vax, easing restrictions, fiscal help Hillicon Valley: Biden signs order on chips | Hearing on media misinformation | Facebook's deal with Australia | CIA nominee on SolarWinds MORE (Calif.) and Ted Lieu
Ted W. LieuPelosi, lawmakers denounce violence against Asian Americans Riot probe to likely focus on McCarthy-Trump call Progressives urge Biden pick for attorney general to prosecute Trump MORE (Calif.) endorsed impeaching Trump months ago.
Waters and Lieu in particular have built higher profiles since Trump took office through their sharp criticism of the president. Twitter this week released data showing Lieu, who often takes aim at Trump through the platform, as the fifth top account among U.S. elected officials.
Green’s articles of impeachment stated that Trump has “brought disrepute, contempt, ridicule and disgrace on the presidency” and “sown discord among the people of the United States.” The articles cited Trump’s response to the violent clash between white supremacists and counterprotesters in Charlottesville, Va., and attacks on NFL players kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality as examples of how Trump has divided the nation.
Other Democrats who have also filed articles of impeachment supported Green’s effort on Wednesday.
Rep. Brad Sherman
Bradley (Brad) James ShermanBipartisan resolution supports Iranian public amid Biden push to reenter nuclear deal Tributes pour in for Kobe Bryant on one-year anniversary of death Bottom line MORE (D-Calif.) introduced an article of impeachment in July alleging that Trump obstructed justice by firing James Comey
James Brien ComeyJohn Durham's endgame: Don't expect criminal charges Trump DOJ officials sought to block search of Giuliani records: report Tina Fey, Amy Poehler to host Golden Globes from separate coasts amid pandemic MORE as FBI director amid the investigation of Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election.
And last month, Green and five other Democrats introduced articles of impeachment that similarly accuse Trump of obstructing justice, violating the foreign emoluments clause barring the president from taking gifts from foreign governments and undermining the courts and media.
Reps. Steve Cohen
Stephen (Steve) Ira CohenTim Ryan: Prosecutors reviewing video of Capitol tours given by lawmakers before riot House subcommittee debates reparations bill for Black Americans House Democrats renew push for checks on presidential pardons MORE (Tenn.), Marcia Fudge
Marcia FudgeBlack Caucus members lobby Biden to tap Shalanda Young for OMB head Sanders votes against Biden USDA nominee Vilsack Senate confirms Vilsack as Agriculture secretary MORE (Ohio), Adriano Espaillat
Adriano de Jesus Espaillat CabralLawmakers remember actress Cicely Tyson Over 40 lawmakers sign letter urging Merrick Garland to prioritize abolishing death penalty The Hill's Morning Report - Biden asks Congress to expand largest relief response in U.S. history MORE (N.Y.), Luis Gutiérrez (Ill.) and John Yarmuth
John Allen YarmuthHouse Democrats pass sweeping .9T COVID-19 relief bill with minimum wage hike House set for tight vote on COVID-19 relief package Budget Committee chair pledges to raise minimum wage: 'Hold me to it' MORE (Ky.) introduced those articles of impeachment with Green. All but Gutiérrez, who did not vote, and Yarmuth, who voted to table the resolution, supported Green’s efforts.
Yarmuth serves as the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee.
Many progressives who haven’t introduced impeachment measures also voted for Green’s resolution.
Liberal Democrats like Reps. Pramila Jayapal
Pramila JayapalProgressives fume over Senate setbacks House Democrats pass sweeping .9T COVID-19 relief bill with minimum wage hike Budget Committee chair pledges to raise minimum wage: 'Hold me to it' MORE (Wash.), Jamie Raskin
Jamin (Jamie) Ben RaskinDeJoy apologizes for mail delays while defending Postal Service changes Officer on Capitol riot: 'Is this America? They beat police officers with Blue Lives Matter flags' Considering impeachment's future MORE (Md.), Jan Schakowsky
Janice (Jan) Danoff SchakowskyHouse Democrats press Facebook on role as a 'breeding ground for polarization' Facebook, Google, Twitter CEOs to testify at House hearing on misinformation Democrats introduce measure to boost privacy, security of health data during pandemic MORE (Ill.), Raúl Grijalva (Ariz.), and Keith Ellison
Keith EllisonOfficials: Barr blocked officer plea deal in George Floyd death The one question about climate change only the courts can answer Minnesota bar vows to stay open despite lawsuit, ban on indoor dining MORE (Minn.) were among the lawmakers who voted against tabling Green’s resolution.
Ellison serves as deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee.
Congressional Black Caucus members
Green, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), was joined by many of his fellow caucus members who have expressed disgust with Trump's handling of race relations.
CBC Chairman Cedric Richmond
Cedric RichmondBottom line Biden pledges action on guns amid resistance Congressional Black Caucus to push aggressive agenda MORE (D-La.) voted against tabling Green’s resolution. So did Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), who as assistant House minority leader was the only member of Democratic leadership to vote with Green.
Green’s articles of impeachment also cited Trump’s personal attacks against fellow CBC member, Rep. Frederica Wilson
Frederica Patricia WilsonAn attack on America that's divided Congress — and a nation Capitol Police report warned that Congress could be targeted three days before riot Democrats point fingers on whether Capitol rioters had inside help MORE (D-Fla.). Trump called Wilson “wacky” on Twitter after she criticized his handling of a conversation with the family of Sgt. La David Johnson, who was killed during an October ambush in Niger.
Wilson was among the lawmakers who voted with Green.
Reps. Alma Adams
Alma Shealey AdamsHouse Democrats call on Biden to fill Postal Service Board vacancies to pave way for ousting DeJoy Overnight Health Care: New COVID-19 cases nationally drop below 100K for first time in 2021 | CDC warns states against lifting restrictions amid threat of virus variants | Health officials warn COVID-19 eradication unlikely Black maternal health omnibus package introduced by Democratic lawmakers MORE (N.C.), Karen Bass
Karen Ruth BassSunday shows preview: 2024 hopefuls gather at CPAC; House passes coronavirus relief; vaccine effort continues Black Caucus members lobby Biden to tap Shalanda Young for OMB head George Floyd police reform bill reintroduced in House MORE (Calif.), Joyce Beatty
Joyce Birdson BeattyBlack Caucus members lobby Biden to tap Shalanda Young for OMB head Harris holds first meeting in ceremonial office with CBC members On The Money: Senate panels postpone Tanden meetings in negative sign | Biden signs supply chain order after 'positive' meeting with lawmakers MORE (Ohio), Yvette Clarke
Yvette Diane ClarkeLawmakers line up behind potential cyber breach notification legislation DHS announces new measures to boost nation's cybersecurity Hassan to chair Senate emerging threats subcommittee MORE (N.Y.), Lacy Clay
William (Lacy) Lacy ClayProgressives target Manchin, Sinema with new PAC Cori Bush dismisses concerns of being 'co-opted' by establishment Rep. Bush calls Trump a 'white supremacist president' on House floor MORE (Mo.), Danny K. Davis (Ill.), Dwight Evans
Dwight (Dewey) EvansSix ways to visualize a divided America House Democrats introduce bill to invest 0 billion in STEM research and education Will the next coronavirus relief package leave essential workers behind? MORE (Pa.), Fudge, Alcee Hastings
Alcee (Judge) Lamar HastingsInauguration parties lose the glitz and glamour in 2021 Questions and answers about the Electoral College challenges COVID-19 is wild card as Pelosi faces tricky Speaker vote Sunday MORE (Fla.), Sheila Jackson Lee
Sheila Jackson LeeBiden pledges support for Texas amid recovery from winter storm Biden turns focus to winter storm with Texas trip Obama says reparations 'justified' MORE (Texas), Robin Kelly
Robin Lynne KellyLawmakers emphasize prioritizing patients' needs in health care policy The Hill's Morning Report - Democrats ready mammoth relief bill for 10-day sprint Overnight Health Care: Biden officials announce funding to track virus variants | Senate Dems unveil public option proposal | White House: Teacher vaccinations not required for schools to reopen MORE (Ill.), Brenda Lawrence
Brenda Lulenar LawrenceCongressional Black Caucus unveils '100 Day Plan' Six ways to visualize a divided America Democrats urge Biden FDA to drop in-person rule for abortion pill MORE (Mich.), Barbara Lee
Barbara Jean LeeLawmakers, Martin Luther King III discuss federal responses to systematic racism The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by The AIDS Institute - Ahead: One-shot vax, easing restrictions, fiscal help Hillicon Valley: Biden signs order on chips | Hearing on media misinformation | Facebook's deal with Australia | CIA nominee on SolarWinds MORE (Calif.), John Lewis
John LewisDOJ faces swift turnaround to meet Biden voting rights pledge Harris holds first meeting in ceremonial office with CBC members Passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is the first step to heal our democracy MORE (Ga.), Gwen Moore
Gwen Sophia MooreLawmakers urge IRS to boost outreach about tax credits for low-income Americans McMorris Rodgers floats vacating Speaker's chair over Democrat's in-person vote after COVID diagnosis House approves rules package for new Congress MORE (Wis.), Bobby Rush
Bobby Lee RushHouse Democrats criticize Texas's 'shortcomings in preparations' on winter storms Over 40 lawmakers sign letter urging Merrick Garland to prioritize abolishing death penalty Woman who lived in church three years goes home under Biden deportation freeze MORE (Ill.), Bennie Thompson
Bennie Gordon ThompsonLawmakers line up behind potential cyber breach notification legislation NAACP president accuses Trump of having operated under 'white supremacist doctrine' Lawmakers blame SolarWinds hack on 'collective failure' to prioritize cybersecurity MORE (Miss.), Waters and Bonnie Watson Coleman
Bonnie Watson ColemanNAACP, Rep. Bennie Thompson sue Trump, Giuliani over Capitol riot Fallen Capitol Police officer to lie in honor in Rotunda Over 40 lawmakers sign letter urging Merrick Garland to prioritize abolishing death penalty MORE (N.J.) made up the remaining CBC members who voted against tabling Green’s resolution.
Not all CBC members joined in. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries
Hakeem Sekou JeffriesHarris holds first meeting in ceremonial office with CBC members Democratic fury with GOP explodes in House Congressional Black Caucus unveils '100 Day Plan' MORE (N.Y.), who helps lead House Democrats’ messaging, voted to table the impeachment resolution.
The unexpected
Multiple Democrats who serve as the ranking member on House committees showed their support for impeaching Trump.
They included Reps. Louise Slaughter
Dorothy (Louise) Louise SlaughterDemocrats must go on the offensive against voter suppression House passes bill to explicitly ban insider trading Sotomayor, Angela Davis formally inducted into National Women's Hall of Fame MORE (N.Y.), the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee; Frank Pallone Jr.
Frank Joseph PalloneHouse Democrats criticize Texas's 'shortcomings in preparations' on winter storms House panel to probe conspiracy theories in the news House Democrats urge Amazon to investigate, recall 'defective' products MORE (N.J.), who leads Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee; and Robert Brady (Pa.), who serves as ranking member of the House Administration Committee.
Then there was Rep. Michael Capuano
Michael (Mike) Everett CapuanoHillicon Valley: Election officials prepare for new Russian interference battle | 'Markeyverse' of online fans helps take down a Kennedy | GOP senators unveil bill to update tech liability protections 'Markeyverse' of online fans helps take down a Kennedy Inside the progressive hunt for vulnerable House Democrats MORE (D-Mass.), who as recently as this summer warned against forcing Democrats to go on the record about impeachment.
At the time, Sherman had mulled possibly forcing a vote on his article of impeachment using the same process Green did on Wednesday. Capuano spoke up during a House Democratic caucus meeting to caution about the consequences for the party’s efforts to win the majority in 2018.
But on Wednesday, Capuano said in a Facebook post that it’s “time to have an open, honest debate on President Trump and his fitness for office.”
“Practically and politically, I think most of us can agree that passing articles of impeachment in this House isn’t realistic at this moment in our history. But sometimes, it’s more important to follow your heart than do the practical or political calculation,” Capuano wrote.