Former US vice president
Kamala Harris has urged Democrats against pursuing a third impeachment of President Donald Trump if they regain control of the House of Representatives in next week’s midterm elections, arguing that the party should focus on investigations and holding the administration accountable instead.
According to the New York Post, Harris made the remarks during a Tuesday interview with MeidasTouch host Aaron Parnas, saying Democrats had limited resources and should avoid spending them on another impeachment effort.
“I think that going in the direction of impeachment is not a good idea, just to be honest with you,” Harris said, adding that the party’s time and resources should be directed towards “accountability” and “investigations”.
Harris, who served in the Senate during Trump’s first term and as vice president during his second impeachment trial, also questioned whether Democrats would have enough votes to secure a conviction. “Remember, I was in the Senate for the last go-round, and the votes aren’t there,” she said.
However, she urged Democrats not to soften their opposition to Trump, calling for an uncompromising approach focused on delivering results after the election.
Harris said Democrats should prioritise getting things done rather than engaging in another prolonged political battle.
“They’re ruthless, but they’re cruel. And when I say we should be ruthless, I don’t mean cruel, but we should be uncompromising,” she said.
Trump was impeached twice during his first term. In December 2019, the Democratic-controlled House impeached him over his dealings with Ukraine, including allegations involving military aid and pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Senate acquitted him in February 2020.
In January 2021, the House impeached Trump for a second time, accusing him of inciting the January 6 Capitol riot. The Senate again acquitted him, with Harris serving as vice president during the trial.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has not ruled out another impeachment effort if Democrats win control of the chamber. He has said the party has “not ruled anything in, and we haven’t ruled anything out”, while indicating that other administration officials, including War Secretary Pete Hegseth, could face scrutiny.
Impeachment requires a simple majority in the House, but conviction and removal from office require a two-thirds majority in the Senate.
No party has held a two-thirds Senate majority since the mid-1960s, when Democrats briefly controlled 68 of the chamber’s 100 seats.
Democratic Representative Al Green of Texas has repeatedly introduced resolutions seeking Trump’s impeachment during his second term, though his efforts have failed to advance.