Trump Is Trying to Erase One of His Biggest Shames

Donald Trump and his allies are working to remove his two impeachments from the official congressional record, despite constitutional limitations and skepticism from legal experts. Trump, who was impeached in 2019 and 2021, has repeatedly claimed the proceedings were politically motivated, stating in a *Wall Street Journal* interview that he 'did nothing wrong' and called the process 'a rigged deal.' A measure to expunge the impeachments, introduced by California Rep. Darrell Issa, has gained traction among some Republicans, though it faces significant opposition. Issa’s legislation, which has 23 co-sponsors, aims to retroactively void the impeachments as if they never occurred, framing them as 'sham' proceedings. House Speaker Mike Johnson has signaled support, arguing that new evidence—including documents related to the 2019 Ukraine scandal—proves the impeachments were 'hyperpartisan attack jobs.' However, critics, including retiring Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, dismiss the effort as politically reckless, warning it could alienate voters. The push follows the release of new Trump administration documents in April that MAGA supporters claim undermine the credibility of witnesses from the first impeachment. Trump’s second impeachment, tied to his role in inciting the January 6 Capitol riot, remains a contentious issue, with a transcript of his 2020 phone call pressuring Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden further fueling debates. Trump has doubled down on his defiance, recently attacking Rep. Jamie Raskin, the lead House impeachment manager in 2021, on social media. Despite the political momentum, legal experts argue the resolution would hold no constitutional weight, as there is no mechanism to erase impeachments. The effort is expected to gain momentum only after the midterm elections, though its success remains uncertain.