Khanna says third Trump impeachment would be about ‘setting a standard’

Rep. Ro Khanna told NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday that a third impeachment of former President Donald Trump, if pursued by Democrats after regaining the House, would primarily be about establishing standards of accountability under the Constitution. Khanna said impeachment could clarify that presidents cannot start an illegal war without Congress’s approval, cannot dismiss federal employees in defiance of statutory limits, and cannot make foreign deals to allegedly enrich family members. Khanna argued such actions would be intended to uphold constitutional values, and said pursuing impeachment would not preclude Democrats from pursuing a policy agenda focused on the cost of living in their first 100 days. He described Trump as “increasingly irrelevant,” while emphasizing the symbolic and legal precedents impeachment could set. On foreign policy, Khanna urged the U.S. to accept a seven-day Iranian peace proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and enact a ceasefire, saying the U.S. could give Tehran assurances — notably a guarantee against regime-change war — without agreeing to all Iranian conditions. The remarks came after Trump rejected the Iranian proposal; Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Meet the Press that negotiators await an official response through mediators and said Iran remains prepared to resume fighting if the U.S. authorizes strikes after the midterms. Democratic leadership has not ruled out impeachment. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries indicated senior members of the House Judiciary Committee and the Oversight Committee would steer any action to hold the president accountable if Democrats retake the House. Republicans including Rep. Jim Jordan have warned that a third impeachment would be politically motivated and have suggested broader investigations of Trump allies and officials would follow.