US President Donald Trump is facing an impeachment attempt from Democratic Congressman John Larson, who has accused the president of waging an “illegal war” and escalating threats against Iran that endanger US security and American lives. Larson, a Connecticut Democrat, filed 13 charges against Trump on Tuesday, citing the administration’s military actions and rhetoric toward Tehran.
In a statement, Larson described Trump as becoming “more unhinged” and “more unstable by the day,” arguing that the president has “blown past every requirement to be removed from office.” He specifically pointed to threats such as “open the Strait… or you’ll be living in hell,” warning that such remarks “foreshadow war crimes.” Larson also accused Trump of being “unable or unwilling” to faithfully execute his duties.
The impeachment filing follows growing calls from some Democrats for Trump’s cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove him from office. Over 70 Democrats, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Chris Murphy, have urged the vice president and a majority of the cabinet to declare Trump unfit to serve. The 25th Amendment allows for the transfer of presidential power if the president is deemed unable to perform his duties.
Representative Jim McGovern called for the administration to “immediately invoke the 25th Amendment,” while Congresswoman Lauren Underwood described Trump as “unstable, dangerous, and unable to function as Commander in Chief.” Larson echoed these sentiments, stating that cabinet members have “an obligation to put patriotism over politics.”
The impeachment move comes amid heightened tensions with Iran, following US strikes on key Iranian infrastructure, including bridges, rail lines, a train station, and the strategic oil hub on Kharg Island. Reports indicate that over 1,500 people have died since late February, with civilian casualties among the fatalities. Trump paused planned strikes on Iran for two weeks late Tuesday to pursue a 10-point proposal from Tehran, reversing course after an appeal from Pakistani negotiators. Hours earlier, he had warned that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if the Strait of Hormuz remained closed.
Republicans and Trump supporters have defended the strikes, arguing they are aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Tehran has denied these accusations, maintaining that its nuclear program is purely peaceful.
Impeachment in the US requires a majority vote in the House of Representatives and a two-thirds majority in the Senate to remove the president from office.
