Until this month, Democrats have been focused and unified in their messaging about the economy. However, U. S. President Donald Trump’s recent threats against Iran and controversial self-portrayals on social media, including attacks on the pope, have shifted the dynamics. Approximately 40% of House Democrats, totaling 84, have supported Representative Jamie Raskin’s bill to strengthen the 25th Amendment. This amendment offers a process for removing a president’s powers without impeachment.
Representative Mark Pocan noted that the push aligns with voters’ concerns about Trump’s statements. However, some Democrats worry that concentrating on impeachment could damage their campaign message of improving affordability. They remember previous impeachment efforts that did not yield success in removing Trump, who was acquitted by the Republican-controlled Senate and won re-election in 2024.
Democrats have achieved success in special elections recently. A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated that 77% of registered voters hold Trump accountable for rising gas prices linked to the conflict with Iran, and surveys show voters trust Democrats more than Republicans on cost-of-living issues. However, Democrats in conservative states like Alaska and Ohio may not emphasize Trump’s impeachment, as noted by Kyle Kondik, a political analyst.
Republican strategist Alex Conant argued that if Democrats prioritize removing Trump, it would allow Republicans to frame the narrative as Democrats neglecting economic issues. Representative Rosa DeLauro, a Connecticut Democrat, acknowledged Trump’s troubling behavior but emphasized that she prefers to focus on pressing issues like healthcare and grocery costs. Similarly, Representative Henry Cuellar from Texas highlighted the need to prioritize affordability in his district and rejected the idea of another impeachment.
Even Senator Elizabeth Warren, a prominent progressive figure, distanced herself from Raskin’s proposal, stating that bipartisan support from Republicans is essential for implementing the 25th Amendment. The process requires the vice president and the president’s Cabinet to act together, which complicates Democratic efforts.
Some Democrats feel pressure to support impeachment to connect with younger and more progressive voters. Representative John Larson from Connecticut proposed articles of impeachment against Trump that cover serious allegations. Larson has a history of liberal voting and is facing younger challengers.
Currently, Democrats are being cautious about addressing the topic of Trump, especially with the party’s recent wins in elections. Republicans accuse them of harboring irrational animosity towards Trump, framing the narrative to resonate in key states like Ohio, Alaska, and North Carolina, where Democrats need independent voters’ support to succeed against Republican incumbents.
Democratic former Senator Sherrod Brown is attempting to regain his Ohio Senate seat while maintaining focus on issues of affordability instead of impeachment. He argues that the system is rigged against workers and suggests solutions like capping utility rate increases. The primary concerns among voters remain related to the economy, despite Trump’s assertions that higher gas prices are beneficial.
Polling data shows that the inflation rate was 3.3% in March 2025, up from 2.4% in February, and Trump’s approval rating on managing cost of living issues is low at just 25%. This situation gives Democrats optimism for upcoming elections, as the out-of-power party typically performs better in off-year elections. There seems to be a consensus among Democrats that connecting the Iran conflict to affordability issues could resonate well with voters, as many constituents express frustration over rising gas prices. Senator Ron Wyden from Oregon reiterated the importance of demonstrating tangible results in addressing voters’ concerns.
With information from Reuters
