Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) has expressed opposition to a potential House vote aimed at expunging the impeachments of former President Donald Trump from his first term. Bacon stated that such plans would not be well received and suggested that Republicans should focus on a more constructive agenda, including defense spending and reforms to legal immigration and Social Security. He indicated he would likely oppose the vote on the House floor.
Reports indicate that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has discussed the expungement with Trump and his allies, although a vote is not expected to occur until after the midterm elections. Critics have noted that there is no constitutional mechanism to reverse an impeachment, labeling the idea as absurd. Despite this, some Republicans have sought legislation to symbolically void the impeachments, which gained momentum after the Trump administration declassified documents that they claim undermine the impeachment trials.
Trump faced impeachment twice: first in 2019 for abuse of power related to Ukraine, and again in 2021 for his actions surrounding the Capitol riot. In both instances, he was acquitted by the GOP-led Senate. Bacon's stance is significant given the narrow Republican majority in the House, and any renewed focus on Trump's conduct could be contentious. Only two of the ten Republicans who voted for impeachment in 2021 remain in Congress, with one, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), set to retire soon.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who also voted for impeachment, remarked that a vote cannot alter the historical record of events such as January 6th.