What was meant to be a bold political strike against former President Donald Trump turned into a public embarrassment for Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI) this week, as his much-hyped pro-impeachment rally in Troy, Michigan drew little more than a handful of staffers, a photographer, and a few puzzled bystanders.
Standing nearly alone on the steps of a federal building, Thanedar delivered his remarks in support of his hastily filed articles of impeachment against Trump—just days after initiating the effort that blindsided and alienated members of his own party. If the visuals were meant to inspire a grassroots surge, they did quite the opposite.
“Yikes. Look at the ‘crowds’ Shri Thanedar is pulling in support for his articles of Impeachment against President Trump. Just sad,” political commentator Benny Johnson posted on X, alongside photos of the nearly vacant scene.
Thanedar’s articles target Trump over the deportation of Kilmar Ábrego García, a suspected MS-13 gang member with ties to a convicted human trafficker. It’s a move that raised eyebrows on all sides—not only for the shaky legal rationale but also for the optics of defending a high-risk deportee.
Axios reported that four Democrats initially listed as co-sponsors have since pulled their names, with at least one claiming they were misled by a vague one-on-one conversation. Another said they only found out about the co-sponsorship through a Google Alert.
Yikes. Look at the “crowds” Shri Thanedar is pulling in support for his articles of Impeachment against President Trump.
Just sad. pic.twitter.com/BB2WnAksce
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) May 6, 2025
Top Democrats weren’t subtle in their disapproval. Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) dismissed the idea that impeachment was even on the table. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) noted that the rapid withdrawals of support showed a lack of coordination and consensus.
Behind the scenes, unnamed Democratic lawmakers offered more scathing critiques, calling the move “self-serving” and “a self-own” that could undermine party credibility heading into the 2026 cycle.
“The guy got impeached twice, how did it work out for us?” one Democrat quipped, referring to the two failed Senate convictions during Trump’s presidency.
Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), known for his own impeachment efforts during the Trump years, went a step further, sending a warning memo to Democratic offices urging staff to double-confirm any co-sponsorships before bills are formally filed.
Adding to the intrigue is the timing of Thanedar’s impeachment stunt: he introduced the articles just hours after a new primary challenger entered the race—a move seen by many as an attempt to shore up progressive support amid growing dissatisfaction in his district.
Still, Thanedar insists he acted out of conviction, not calculation.
“My constituents elected me to do what I think is right,” he told Axios. “These were articles that I drafted, without any other members. As more offices analyze the articles, I hope more will come on board.”
But the message isn’t resonating—not with his party, not with the press, and judging by the empty plaza, not even with the public.
