Indianapolis, these are not normal times.
That’s why I’m not calling for normal, status quo policies. In just the first six months of his presidency, President Donald Trump has:
- Gutted civil rights enforcement, tried to purge the country of diversity efforts and cut key offices that were established by the Civil Rights Act to protect Americans from discrimination.
- Instituted sweeping mass deportations, with masked ICE agents arresting families in broad daylight, without due process.
- Threatened federal courts that disagree with him and who are simply doing their duty to ensure everyone follows the law.
- Bombed Iran unprovoked and unconstitutionally, putting American troops and innocent civilians at risk.
It’s the textbook definition of authoritarianism. That’s why I’m calling for Trump’s impeachment.
There are many ways to hold Trump accountable. I’ve joined 10 congressional amicus briefs in legal fights against the Trump administration in the courts across the country. I’m fighting to protect essential programs from DOGE’s cruel cuts and bring federal dollars back to our community.
But we must do more. Impeachment is one of the most important tools Congress has in our toolbox — and it’s past time we use it, especially as the president wages unnecessary war in the Middle East that the American people do not want and did not ask for. Trump is unfit to serve.
As a Senior Member of the House Intel Committee — which works to safeguard our national security — I’m always concerned about foreign threats and how to keep Americans safe. But the president’s actions don’t make us any safer. Prior to the president’s bombing deep inside Iran, the U.S. was not directly involved in military confrontation. A diplomatic solution was not only possible — it was in process. Negotiations were happening, and a peaceful solution was within reach. The president decided to strike anyway.
The president does have limited authority to take narrow military action without Congressional approval. But those conditions do not apply here. Now, he is further attempting to circumvent Congress’ authorization by cancelling Congressional briefings and threatening to withhold all information on Iran from Congress.
As complicated and flawed as they were individually, our Founding Fathers created a new country that should never be ruled by a king. Each branch of government is meant to be equal — the president should not have more power than Congress. We don’t exist to do Trump’s bidding. We exist to serve the American people and American interests — not Trump.
Trump campaigned on the promise of no more foreign wars. Another campaign promise broken.
But we can’t be distracted from the campaign promises Trump is keeping — implementing Project 2025 — a playbook for disenfranchising Black and Brown communities.
While the U.S. and the world are distracted by Trump’s reckless military action in Iran, over 14 million Americans stand to lose health care — disproportionately impacting Black families, including 400,000 Black Hoosiers, which I wrote about last month.
While we’re distracted by Trump’s barrage of social media posts, Republicans are trying to slash SNAP — also known as food stamps. SNAP lifted more than 2 million people of color out of poverty in 2023 alone.
While we’re glued to news pundits debating what’s going to happen in the next election, another round of travel bans on Black and brown countries is going into effect. Every day, Black and brown immigrants are snatched off the streets and illegally detained.
While we argue with each other in social media comments, Trump takes away hard-fought protections for Black Americans. He wants to whitewash our history, rename military bases for confederate generals and promises to return America to mythical days when America was “great” — before integration, before civil rights advancements.
Trump’s actions may seem chaotic, because they are. But don’t confuse that chaos for calculated attempts to erase Black history, culture and success from our country. Don’t confuse that chaos.
I’m treating these serious attacks on our democracy with serious consequences: impeachment.
I won’t pretend the path to Trump’s removal from office is easy. I’m the first and so far, only cosponsor of a new resolution to impeach Trump. Republicans hold the majority in the House and the Senate — which means this resolution requires Republican support.
Impeachment requires a strong, legal case. It requires support from both sides of the aisle. It requires more voices standing up and doing what is right.
I’m prepared to do what is right. And I invite all like-minded Indianapolis residents to join me:
Call representatives and senators in Indiana and around the country. Talk to your neighbors. Register people to vote. And most importantly — let’s work together and keep hope alive. It’s what will light the way in these dark times.
