H.R.es24 - Expunging the December 18, 2019, impeachment of President Donald John Trump. (119th Congress)
Summary
H.Res.24 proposes to expunge the December 18, 2019, impeachment of President Donald John Trump. The resolution asserts that the impeachment was wrongful and based on insufficient evidence of "high Crimes and Misdemeanors." It cites an unclassified FBI document (FD-1023) as demonstrating the alleged wrongful accusation.
The resolution seeks to erase the impeachment from the official record, treating it as if the Articles of Impeachment had never passed the House. The resolution was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 9, 2025, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Expected Effects
If passed, this resolution would symbolically remove the record of President Trump's impeachment from the House's official history. This action would not alter the historical fact of the impeachment itself, but it would represent a formal statement by the House that the impeachment was considered invalid by the current Congress.
It could further inflame political tensions and deepen partisan divisions. The resolution's passage would likely be viewed as a vindication by supporters of President Trump and as a partisan act by opponents.
Potential Benefits
- Could be seen as correcting a perceived injustice by supporters of the former President.
- May offer a sense of closure to those who believe the impeachment was politically motivated.
- Could potentially de-escalate political tensions if viewed as a bipartisan effort (though this is unlikely given the current political climate).
- Might reinforce the importance of due process and a high standard of evidence for impeachment proceedings.
- Could set a precedent for future Congresses to review and potentially expunge past impeachment proceedings.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could be seen as an attempt to rewrite history and undermine the legitimacy of the impeachment process.
- May further polarize the political landscape and deepen partisan divisions.
- Could set a precedent for future Congresses to expunge impeachments based on political considerations rather than legal or factual grounds.
- Might diminish the seriousness of impeachment as a constitutional remedy for presidential misconduct.
- Could be perceived as disrespectful to the House of Representatives that voted to impeach President Trump.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The resolution raises questions about the scope of Congress's power to alter its historical records. While the Constitution grants the House the sole power of impeachment (Article I, Section 2), it is silent on the power to expunge a past impeachment. The resolution's assertion that the impeachment did not meet the burden of proving "high Crimes and Misdemeanors" references Article II, Section 4, which defines the grounds for impeachment.
Whether expunging an impeachment is a permissible exercise of legislative power is debatable. Some may argue that it infringes upon the historical record and the separation of powers. Others might contend that Congress has broad authority over its internal procedures and can correct past errors.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).