On March 25, 2024, Representative April McClain Delaney, a Democrat from Maryland, publicly called for the impeachment of President Donald Trump following the operation that led to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in the United States. This statement coincided with Maduro’s appearance before a judge in Manhattan, escalating tensions surrounding the U.S. government’s handling of foreign affairs.
In her remarks to the Baltimore Sun, McClain Delaney expressed her concern over Trump’s actions, stating, “I cannot stand by as my Republican colleagues allow President Trump to defy the rule of law, repeatedly overstep the authority of Congress and undermine our national security and the well-being of my fellow Americans.” The White House did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication.
While many Democrats have criticized the operation that brought Maduro to U.S. soil, few have characterized it as grounds for impeachment. McClain Delaney stands apart in this regard, aligning herself with a faction of progressive lawmakers advocating for a more assertive response to Trump’s actions.
In a recent post on social media, she urged her colleagues to “seriously deliberate” the possibility of pursuing impeachment. However, leading Democrats, including Jamie Raskin, have emphasized the need for Congress to reassert its constitutional authority without resorting to impeachment.
McClain Delaney elaborated on her position in an interview, revealing that her decision to advocate for impeachment stemmed from what she described as the “cumulative effect” of Trump’s actions since taking office. She cited examples such as dismantling government agencies without congressional approval and making inflammatory remarks about Democratic lawmakers.
“The arrest of Maduro alone meets the threshold for impeachment,” she asserted. “It’s not just about the protection of American interests; it’s about the implications for the entire hemisphere.” She expressed frustration over what she sees as a lack of accountability, asking, “When does it stop?”
This call for impeachment marks a significant shift for McClain Delaney, who has often sought to position herself as a moderate representative of a swing district that includes Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett counties, as well as part of Montgomery County. Although she generally aligns with her party, she has previously supported legislation like the Laken Riley Act, aimed at detaining illegal immigrants who commit crimes.
Despite her moderate background, McClain Delaney rejected the notion that her impeachment call is politically motivated, particularly given her primary challenge from former Representative David Trone. Trone has attempted to portray her as overly accommodating to Republican interests. “This is just an evolution of my journey over the past eleven months,” she stated. “People have said, ‘Why aren’t you fighting harder?’”
While McClain Delaney does not intend to file articles of impeachment immediately, she plans to engage in discussions with her Democratic colleagues about moving forward. “My voice has some credibility because I don’t just jump immediately,” she noted.
She acknowledged that if she or another lawmaker were to file articles of impeachment, it would likely face significant hurdles in the Republican-controlled House. Nonetheless, she remains firm in her belief that now is the appropriate time to raise the issue. “If not now, when?” she asked rhetorically.
The unfolding situation continues to draw attention from both sides of the aisle, as lawmakers navigate the complexities of foreign policy and internal party dynamics. As discussions progress, the potential implications of McClain Delaney’s stance on impeachment could resonate beyond the halls of Congress, reflecting broader concerns about executive power and accountability in U.S. governance.
