As I predicted in a previous article, the attempt to impeach President Donald Trump – then under consideration in the US House of Representatives – failed. Despite increasingly widespread anger against the American president and fierce criticism directed at him in various media outlets, the powerful pro-Israel lobby AIPAC has too many US lawmakers in its pocket.
When the motion to impeach Trump was introduced by Democratic Congressman Al Green of Texas, it was supported by only 79 representatives and opposed by 344. Republicans – reluctant even to consider removing a president from their own party – opposed it, of course. However, they were joined by 128 Democrats, revealing the extent to which loyalty to Israel transcends party lines in Congress.
Congressman Green filed the motion to impeach on the grounds that Trump had launched a war on Iran without Congressional approval. Under Article 1 of the US Constitution, only Congress has the power to declare war and the president must first seek congressional authorisation in a timely manner for any offensive military action abroad. Trump did not bother with such details before attacking Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The strikes were executed not just in coordination with Israel but in deference to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s dogged insistence. So when Trump does as bidden, he can hardly be removed by lawmakers who are every bit as Israel-first as he is.
American citizens’ anger at Trump is bound to grow. Just last week, tens of thousands of people poured into the streets of San Diego to protest his policies. But he has nothing to fear. Striking Iran was hardly his first service for Israel. He continues to support the war on Gaza, to block US ceasefire resolutions, and even to propose solutions designed to fulfil the Israeli objective of forcibly displacing the inhabitants of Gaza. Trump knows he can do whatever he wants – including breaching the constitution – as long as he serves Israel more faithfully than his predecessors.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 3 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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