Summary of HRES 24: Expunging the Impeachment of President Trump

Overview

House Resolution 24 (HRES 24) is a legislative proposal introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 9, 2025. The main purpose of the bill is to expunge or remove the record of the impeachment of President Donald John Trump that occurred on December 18, 2019.

Key Provisions

The resolution, if passed, would:

1. Declare that the impeachment of President Trump by the House of Representatives on December 18, 2019 is "hereby expunged and forever removed from the official records of the House of Representatives."

2. Prohibit the House, its committees, or any other entity from taking any action to reference or rely upon the expunged impeachment.

3. Direct the Clerk of the House of Representatives to update all official records, transcripts, and other documents to reflect the expungement of the impeachment.

Potential Impact

The passage of HRES 24 would effectively erase the historical record of President Trump's impeachment by the House in 2019. This would mean that there would be no official acknowledgement or documentation of the impeachment proceedings and vote that occurred during his presidency.

The resolution is being introduced by supporters of the former president who believe the 2019 impeachment was politically motivated and unjustified. Proponents argue that expunging the impeachment would correct an injustice and restore Trump's historical legacy.

However, critics contend that erasing the impeachment from the official record would be a dangerous precedent that undermines governmental accountability and transparency. They argue the impeachment was a legitimate exercise of the House's constitutional powers that should not be retroactively reversed.

Procedural Considerations

As a simple House resolution, HRES 24 would need to be passed by a majority vote in the House of Representatives to take effect. It does not require approval by the Senate or the president.

The resolution was introduced in the opening weeks of the new 117th Congress, suggesting its supporters hope to act on it quickly. However, it may face significant opposition from Democrats and others who view the measure as a partisan attempt to rewrite history.