3:06President Donald Trump addresses reporters before boarding Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House on Jan. 16, 2026, in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP
Throughout the campaign and on Capitol Hill, an increasing number of Democrats have expressed their belief that President Donald Trump has engaged in actions warranting impeachment during his first year back in office.
However, as they concentrate on the upcoming midterm elections, fewer Democratic lawmakers are willing to commit to impeaching Trump if they regain control of the House, considering the anticipated Republican dominance in the Senate and the risk of voter backlash.
Trump has asserted that Democrats will move to impeach him should they reclaim the House, and Republicans intend to use that assertion as a significant element of their midterm campaign strategy.
"They will go to any lengths to obstruct the Trump agenda," stated Rep. Dan Meuser, a Republican from Pennsylvania, referring to Democrats. "If people don't want a two-year president, whom they voted for quite decisively in 2024, they cannot permit the House to shift control."
President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters before leaving on Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House, Jan. 16, 2026, in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP
Instead, numerous Democrats have indicated they are concentrating on the rising cost of living and the economic situation.
"There's plenty for me to worry about," remarked Rep. Eugene Vindman, a Democrat from Virginia.
Rep. Eugene Vindman addresses a news conference at the Capitol on Nov. 21, 2025. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Vindman, an Army veteran and former national security official, was instrumental in voicing concerns regarding Trump's 2019 phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which was pivotal to his first impeachment.
"The American populace is worried about expenses, while the president is engaging in foreign pursuits," Vindman conveyed to ABC News.
Calls for impeachment have risen in 2026 amidst the U.S. offensive against Venezuela and the Justice Department’s inquiries into Trump’s perceived adversaries. Several progressive Democrats from liberal districts and candidates in competitive blue-seat primaries have advocated for the impeachment of Trump and key cabinet members.
Democrats are also focusing their attention on Cabinet members: Over 80 Democrats have endorsed Illinois Democrat Rep. Robin Kelly’s articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following the deployment of federal agents to Minnesota and the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by a federal agent.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks with reporters at the White House, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP
Nevertheless, Democratic leaders are proceeding cautiously ahead of the midterms, where they will need to secure at least three additional seats to gain control of Congress.
"If candidates and members of Congress are not consistently concentrating on the daily lives of the people, they are making an error," noted former Democratic Rep. Cheri Bustos, who led the House Democrats' campaign committee, in an interview with ABC News.
"There are numerous actions by President Trump that can be categorized as 'impeachable offenses,' but ultimately, what benefit will it bring? Even if the House has
Sourse: abcnews.go.com