Former Senator Joe Manchin has warned Democrats that launching investigations into President Donald Trump if they win control of Congress could backfire politically and pave the way for a Republican takeover in 2028. Manchin’s warning comes as Democrats debate how they would use congressional power if they retake the House, including whether to launch investigations of Trump and his administration that could ultimately lead to a third impeachment of the president. Some Democrats have already called for Trump to be impeached, while others have warned that another impeachment fight could distract from the party’s message on affordability and hand Republicans a political weapon.
Newsweek reached out to the White House and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for comment on Saturday. Speaking to Smerconish, Manchin said Democrats would be better served by concentrating on legislation designed to ease the financial pressures facing American families. Manchin argued that Democrats should advance policies even if Trump opposes them, putting the onus on the president to reject measures the party can present to voters as beneficial.
Manchin argued that how Democrats govern after a potential midterm victory could have consequences in 2028, when Trump will be unable to seek another term. It also puts Manchin alongside Democrats who have cautioned against allowing impeachment or investigations to overshadow economic issues, although his warning goes further by predicting a “Republican takeover” if Democrats make that mistake. Democrats are increasingly grappling with what a new House majority should do about Trump.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has declined to rule out impeachment, telling PBS last month: “We certainly haven't ruled anything in and we haven't ruled anything out.” Jeffries said Democrats would investigate potential wrongdoing, “follow the facts, apply the law, be guided by the Constitution” and “let the chips fall where they may.” Jeffries, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar drew that line in September after Democratic Representative Al Green of Texas brought another impeachment resolution against Trump. But, they added, such an effort “traditionally requires a comprehensive investigative process,” which they said had not occurred. Less than two weeks later, Democratic Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee introduced another effort, consisting of 26 articles of impeachment alleging misconduct by Trump across issues including immigration, the Iran war, tariffs, federal spending, presidential pardons and alleged personal financial benefit from the presidency.
Cohen has acknowledged that his effort is unlikely to advance under the current Republican-controlled Congress. Manchin is not alone in warning his former party about the political risks of another impeachment battle. Former Obama White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel answered “Short answer: No” when asked on NBC News’ Meet the Press on October 4 whether Democrats should impeach Trump if they regain the House.
He has instead advocated investigating alleged corruption before pursuing a broader ethics package. Former Democratic Representative Joe Cunningham of South Carolina previously told Newsweek that congressional Democrats risk allowing impeachment to overwhelm the rest of their agenda. The disagreement has also surfaced in competitive Senate races ahead of the midterms.
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