How to Impeach Trump, for Real

Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich outlines a path to removing the former president from office through the impeachment process.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 4:33pm

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A fractured, abstract painting depicting a government building or political symbol in shades of blue, gray, and red, conveying a sense of political instability and turmoil.As calls for Trump's impeachment grow louder, the path to removing the former president from office remains fraught with political obstacles.Minneapolis Today

In this opinion piece, former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich argues that the time has come to seriously pursue impeaching former President Donald Trump. Reich believes that with a potential Democratic majority in the Senate after the 2026 midterm elections, and continued public sentiment turning against Trump, it may be possible to secure the 67 votes needed in the Senate to convict and remove Trump from office.

Why it matters

The article highlights the growing calls to hold Trump accountable for his actions while in office, including allegations of inciting the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, as well as more recent controversies. With Trump still wielding significant influence within the Republican Party, the prospect of removing him from office through impeachment has major implications for the country's political landscape.

The details

Reich outlines a strategy for Democrats to retake control of the Senate in the 2026 midterm elections, which would pave the way for a successful impeachment effort. He identifies several Republican Senate seats that could flip, as well as vulnerable GOP incumbents who may face pressure to vote to convict Trump in a future trial. Reich argues that Trump's mental state and growing unpopularity make the current political climate more conducive to impeachment than previous attempts.

  • Trump made his comments about winning the midterms to avoid impeachment at a January 6 retreat for House Republicans.
  • Since then, a series of events have occurred that have further damaged Trump's standing, including the murder of two individuals in Minneapolis, the release of more Epstein files, Trump's disastrous war in Iran, and rising gas and consumer prices.
  • Trump's poll numbers have also declined to record lows, and some of his supporters have begun to complain that he has betrayed his promise to avoid foreign entanglements.

The players

Robert Reich

A former U.S. Secretary of Labor and current professor of public policy at the University of California, Berkeley. Reich is the author of several books, including 'The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It.'

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who has been impeached twice by the House of Representatives but not convicted by the Senate.

Renee Good

An individual who was allegedly murdered by Trump's agents in Minneapolis.

Alex Pretti

An individual who was allegedly murdered by Trump's agents in Minneapolis.

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What they’re saying

“You gotta win the midterms 'cause, if we don't win the midterms, it's just gonna be — I mean, they'll find a reason to impeach me. I'll get impeached.”

— Donald Trump

What’s next

The key next step will be the 2026 midterm elections, where Democrats will need to retake control of the Senate in order to have a realistic chance of convicting Trump in an impeachment trial. Additionally, pressure will need to be applied to vulnerable Republican senators up for re-election in 2028 to vote to convict Trump.

The takeaway

Removing a sitting president through impeachment is an extraordinarily difficult and politically fraught process, but Reich argues that the current circumstances may provide a window of opportunity to do so. Ultimately, the success of such an effort will hinge on the outcome of future elections and the willingness of Republican senators to put country over party.