Memphis Congressman Steve Cohen has reportedly introduced 26 separate articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, a sprawling list of accusations that touches on everything from the war in Iran to the demolition of the White House East Wing. The articles accuse the president of abuse of power, violation of his oath of office, and the unlawful abolishment of a congressionally mandated agency.
According to localmemphis.com, the resolution's first two articles set the tone for the rest: Article I concerns undermining democracy by sowing doubt in elections, while Article II accuses Trump of abuse of power for waging war on Iran without congressional approval. Cohen, a Memphis Democrat, did not stop there — the remaining two dozen articles span an unusually broad range of alleged executive overreach.
From Venezuela Strikes to Deployed Troops at Home
Article III concerns alleged extrajudicial killings in the international waters off Venezuela, and Article IV addresses the deployment of military forces against U.S. cities, per the same station's report. Immigration enforcement also features prominently: Article V concerns violation of oath through the birthright citizenship executive order, while Article XII accuses the administration of abuse of power for defying court orders in immigration enforcement.
Other articles zero in on the federal workforce and government agencies. Article VII concerns imposing loyalty tests on federal employees, Article XIII addresses the abolishing of the Department of Education as a congressionally mandated agency, and Article XIV concerns the alleged unlawful mass termination of inspectors general without statutory notice to Congress, the article notes.
Press Freedom and the Power of the Purse
Several articles focus on federal funding fights. Article VI concerns abuse of power through canceling federal grants to punish states over their votes, while Article X addresses the unlawful withholding of appropriated funds and the dismantling of congressionally established programs. Article XXIV separately concerns illegal impoundment of appropriated funds, according to the outlet's account.
The resolution also takes direct aim at the president's relationship with the media. Article XIX concerns attacks on a free press through banishing reporters from the White House over disfavored coverage, and Article XX addresses attacks on a free press through allegedly coercing CBS and ABC to change editorial content. Article XXI and Article XXII both concern violations of oath tied to free speech restrictions — one through retaliatory executive orders against law firms, the other through coercing universities via withheld federal funds.
Pardons, Prosecutions, and Alleged Profits
Cohen's articles also target the use of executive clemency and law enforcement power. Article XVI concerns abuse of power through the political prosecutions of Comey, James, and Schiff, while Article XVIII addresses abuse of power through what the resolution calls corrupt use of the pardon power. Article VIII concerns disregard of courts involving the Alien Enemies Act and Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and Article IX concerns violation of oath through alleged cruel and unusual punishment at CECOT.
Financial matters round out much of the list. Article XV accuses the president of unlawfully and unilaterally taxing U.S. citizens through emergency-powers tariffs, and Article XVII concerns abuse of power involving the IRS settlement and corruption of the Judgment Fund. The final article, Article XXVI, concerns emoluments violations through Trump allegedly profiting personally and directly from the presidency — while Article XXIII addresses abuse of power through demolishing the White House East Wing without congressional approval, and Article XXV concerns self-aggrandizement involving renaming public institutions, seizing cultural and civic property, and appropriating national currency.
Cohen's History of Impeachment Efforts
This is not Cohen's first attempt at holding Trump accountable through impeachment. The Memphis congressman introduced five articles of impeachment against Trump in November 2017, according to a press release from his office, and he twice voted to impeach Trump during his first term. Just months before this latest filing, Cohen said in a May newsletter that he had introduced six articles of impeachment against Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
Cohen said the Republican majority in Congress is derelict in its duty and argued that Trump is clearly the most impeachable president the country has ever endured. He said his continued presence in office poses a danger to democracy, and that his own independent oath to support and defend the Constitution compelled him to introduce the resolution.
What Happens Next Is Unclear
Cohen said the current Congress should fulfill its duties as a co-equal branch and serve as a check on the executive. He said he hopes the resolution paves the way to accountability, though he is expected to retire at the end of his term. Under the Constitution, Congress holds authority to impeach and remove the president, vice president, and other federal civil officers for treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors, according to the Congressional Research Service.
