Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.
H. Res. 353 is a resolution introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives proposing to impeach Donald John Trump, then President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors. It lays out seven articles of impeachment, each alleging serious abuses of power and violations of the Constitution and federal law. The articles cover a wide range of alleged misconduct, including obstruction of justice, usurpation of Congress’s appropriation and spending powers, abuse of trade powers and aggressive international actions, violations of First Amendment rights, creation of an unlawful government entity (the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE) with a figurehead (Elon Musk) in control, bribery and corruption, and what the text characterizes as tyranny and attempts to subvert the constitutional balance of powers. The resolution asserts that these actions demonstrate Trump’s unfitness to govern and would, if pursued through the standard impeachment process, lead to removal from office if the Senate convicts. The document likewise indicates the House would exhibit these articles to the Senate as part of its impeachment proceedings. It is presented as a formal, albeit highly controversial, legislative step in the impeachment process, and it is unclear from the text who the official sponsor is (the sponsor field is listed as “Unknown”) or what the current status would be beyond introduction and referral to the Judiciary Committee.
Key Points
- 1Article I: Obstruction of justice and violation of due process
- 2- Claims Trump obstructed justice by directing subordinates to misrepresent facts to the courts, retaliating against DOJ officials, evading court orders, and engaging in acts that allegedly undermine the independence of the judiciary and due process.
- 3- Includes specific (and historically dubious) examples such as alleged manipulation of charges against a named public official and purging DOJ attorneys.
- 4- Also alleges contempt of court and violations of the constitutional duty to faithfully execute laws.
- 5Article II: Usurpation of the appropriations power
- 6- Alleges Trump unlawfully interfered with Congress’s power to appropriate funds, effectively impounding or withholding congressionally appropriated money.
- 7- Cites alleged dismantling or undermining federal agencies (e.g., Department of Education, USAID) and creation of a department called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to justify funding decisions.
- 8Article III: Abuse of trade powers and international aggression
- 9- Claims Trump abused trade powers (tariffs) and used rhetoric and actions that allegedly threatened or undertook aggressive foreign actions without proper authorization.
- 10- Lists alleged intent to annex or otherwise threaten multiple territories (Canada, Greenland, Panama Canal, Gaza) and to conduct military actions without Congress authorization or in violation of international law.
- 11Article IV: Violation of First Amendment rights
- 12- Asserts retaliation against critics, legal counsel, media, and political opponents, including actions like barring law firm access, revoking security clearances, threatening to cancel contracts, and pressuring the DOJ to target perceived enemies.
- 13- Claims a pattern of undermining free speech, assembly, petitioning the government, and the independence of the press.
- 14Article V: Creation of an unlawful office (DOGE)
- 15- Argues Trump established the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) outside proper constitutional and statutory authority.
- 16- Claims improper appointment of Elon Musk as de facto head, with alleged control over multiple agencies and improper use of special government employment arrangements.
- 17- Alleges DOGE engaged in impoundment, privacy/security violations, and improper personnel actions.
- 18Article VI: Bribery and corruption
- 19- Describes a pattern of personal profit from public office, including alleged bribe-like arrangements and schemes (e.g., cryptocurrency-related schemes) and a conduit for settlements in personal litigation.
- 20- Claims failure to divest from private business interests and encouragement of self-dealing and conflicts of interest, including foreign emoluments.
- 21Article VII: Tyranny
- 22- Accuses Trump of trying to establish himself as a dictator, usurping powers of Congress, the courts, and the states; seeking to suspend laws, silence dissent, and override due process and equal protection.
- 23- Includes allegations of undermining constitutional protections, threatening lawmakers, and attempting to void constitutional limits such as term length or citizenship provisions.
- 24Procedural status and scope
- 25- The resolution is a House item (a resolution, not a law) and is presented as impeaching the President for high crimes and misdemeanors.
- 26- It would be exhibited to the Senate if the House were to proceed with impeachment; conviction and removal would depend on Senate trial and verdict.
- 27- Sponsor information is listed as unknown; it was referred to the House Judiciary Committee.