U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Republican lawmakers that failing to retain control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections could expose him to another impeachment, underscoring the legal and constitutional stakes of the 2026 electoral cycle.
Speaking at a House Republican retreat at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Trump told GOP members that a Democratic-controlled Congress would “find a reason” to impeach him, framing the midterms as a direct test of his political and legal survival.
Trump’s remarks revive long-running debates around the impeachment power of Congress and the vulnerability of presidents during divided government. He referenced his two impeachments during his first term—one in 2019 over abuse of power and obstruction of Congress linked to Ukraine, and another in 2021 for incitement of insurrection following the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Although acquitted by the Senate in both cases, Trump dismissed the proceedings as baseless, arguing that impeachment has become a partisan tool rather than a constitutional safeguard.
The president also acknowledged the historical trend of governing parties losing seats in midterm elections, even as he insisted Republican policies were superior to those of Democrats. His comments come amid a narrow Republican majority in the House, now reduced further following recent vacancies, heightening concerns within the party about legislative stability and oversight exposure.
Beyond impeachment, Trump used the retreat to signal policy positions likely to shape legal and political debates in the midterms. He renewed his criticism of the Affordable Care Act following the expiration of enhanced subsidies at the end of 2025 and suggested an alternative model that would channel federal funds directly to individuals for healthcare coverage. He also urged Republicans to show “flexibility” on abortion-related restrictions, including the Hyde Amendment, though he did not clarify what legal changes he would support.
For legal analysts, Trump’s warning highlights how impeachment—enshrined in the U.S. Constitution as a check on executive power—has increasingly intersected with electoral politics.
As the midterms approach, control of Congress may once again determine whether impeachment remains a theoretical risk or becomes an active legal process confronting the presidency.
