WASHINGTON, D.C. — June 25, 2025 — In a lopsided and swift rebuke, the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to table — effectively kill — Rep. Al Green’s latest resolution to impeach former President Donald Trump, this time over his 2020 decision to authorize military strikes against Iran without Congressional approval.
The final vote was 344–79, with 128 Democrats joining all Republicans to reject the measure, signaling a strong bipartisan reluctance to reopen impeachment proceedings against a former president — particularly over past foreign policy decisions.
The resolution, H.Res. 537, was introduced by Rep. Al Green (D-TX) as a privileged measure, requiring the House to act on it within two legislative days. Republican leaders moved quickly to quash the resolution just hours after it was filed, preventing any further debate on the matter.
Green Stands Alone — Again
The Houston congressman, known for his vocal and repeated impeachment efforts against Trump during his presidency, defended his actions in a passionate floor speech.
“President Trump has devolved, and continues to devolve, American democracy into authoritarianism by disregarding the separation of powers, and now usurping congressional war powers,” Green declared.
He pointed to Trump’s unilateral order to kill Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in early 2020 as a violation of the Constitution, asserting that the strike—executed without prior Congressional authorization—underrated the legislative branch’s sole power to declare war.
“The president must never be above the Constitution,” Green insisted. “The power to declare war lies with Congress — not with one man.”
History Repeats
This marks yet another failed impeachment attempt by Green, who previously introduced articles of impeachment against Trump over what he described as “racially divisive conduct” and abuse of power. His efforts have often drawn mixed reactions — praise from progressive circles and criticism from moderates and conservatives who view them as politically counterproductive.
In March, Green was censured by the House following an outburst during Trump’s address to Congress, where he waved his cane in protest and was forcibly removed. Despite the reprimand, Green has remained defiant.
“It was worth it,” he later told reporters. “The Constitution demands we speak out, even if we pay a price.”
Broader Debate Over War Powers
Trump’s 2020 strike on Soleimani sparked fierce debate at the time, with Republicans defending the move as necessary to deter Iranian threats, and Democrats warning it set a dangerous precedent for unchecked executive military action.
While Tuesday’s vote definitively closes the door on this specific impeachment effort, it reignites the ongoing national conversation over the scope of presidential war powers. This constitutional gray area has been scrutinized across multiple administrations.
Symbolic but Significant
Though largely symbolic, Green’s resolution aimed to formally document what he and other critics see as a pattern of executive overreach. Legal scholars note that even unsuccessful impeachment efforts serve as historical records, preserving the concerns of Congress for future generations.
As the 2024 election cycle continues to reshape political alliances and revive Trump’s influence within the Republican Party, Green’s bold move may resonate with voters who remain deeply concerned about the erosion of democratic checks and balances.
What’s Next?
With the House’s decisive vote, H.Res. 537 is now officially dead. But Rep. Green has signaled he is not done.
“Impeachment is not just a remedy — it is a responsibility,” he said. “And I will continue to fulfill mine as long as the Constitution is under threat.”
Whether this latest effort is viewed as a principled stand or a political miscalculation, it highlights one truth: the debate over the limits of presidential power is far from over.
