Donald Trump impeachment petition hits 100k—here’s what happens next

A petition calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump has garnered more than 100,000 signatures.

The petition, organized by the non-partisan group Blackout The System, says that “every branch of government needs to pursue justice and accountability for this administration’s actions.”

While reaching the milestone will likely raise the petition’s profile, it will not prompt a response from the White House.

A White House petition system launched during President Barack Obama’s administration – called “We the People” – had a 100,000-signature threshold for a response. The tool was used as an outlet for protest during Trump’s first administration, but it was taken down after President Joe Biden took office in January 2021. 

Newsweek contacted Blackout The System and the White House for comment via email outside regular business hours.

Why It Matters 

Calls for Trump’s impeachment have grown in recent months, with some calling for action to be taken over his threats to take over Greenland. Republican Representative Don Bacon warned that Trump’s talk of annexing Greenland could spark bipartisan impeachment efforts.

Meanwhile, Trump warned House Republicans earlier in January that he would be impeached for a third time if Democrats regain control of Congress in November’s midterm elections.

Trump was impeached twice in his first term, first in 2019 over his push for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to launch a corruption investigation into the Biden family ahead of the 2020 election. He was impeached a second time in 2021 over his effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election and the riot at the U.S. Capitol. He was acquitted by the Senate both times.

What To Know 

As of early Wednesday morning, the petition had amassed 104,894 signatures.

The petition states that “greed, corruption, and a lack of accountability in leadership have run rampant” in Trump’s administration, and that its policies “threaten our rights, our democracy, and our future.”

It also accuses Trump of “repeatedly” violating the U.S. Constitution since his return to office in January last year.

“Attacks on immigrants, cuts to veterans’ benefits, undermining of healthcare systems, degradation of public schools and education, and reductions in essential food assistance programs have left the most vulnerable among us in a state of despair,” it states.

“Moreover, the relentless attacks on women and youth—affecting access to food, shelter, and education—signify a direct affront on our society’s conscience.”

The petition also says the economy is in “shambles” due to Trump’s mismanagement and “short-sighted” policies.

“The American people are suffering and can’t afford to be patient any longer. The time has come to hold this administration accountable for its actions that have deeply harmed our society,” it says.

“Every branch of government needs to pursue justice and accountability for this administration’s actions. This petition calls on all Americans to come together, to make our voices heard, and to demand the impeachment of Donald Trump.”

What People Are Saying 

Carlos Álvarez-Aranyos, founder of American Opposition, which partnered with Blackout the System, previously told Newsweek: “Impeachment, conviction, and removal is the healthiest pathway to ending this nightmare, as it removes the fascist regime while reasserting the power of our Constitution. Our system was built to deal with threats like Donald Trump. Our current failure is human. We need our representatives to wake up and use the tools the founders gave them to save our republic before it’s too late.”

Trump told House Republicans earlier in January: “You gotta win the midterms, because if we don’t win the midterms, it’s just going to be, I mean, they’ll find a reason to impeach me. I’ll get impeached.”

Democratic Representative Al Green, whose second effort to impeach Trump was dismissed by the House in December, said on January 6: “I pledge to you that I will do all that I can, including make efforts to impeach Donald John Trump, for all that he has done to create this stain on the citadel of democracy.”

What Happens Next 

It is unlikely Trump will be impeached in the coming months as the Republicans hold majorities in both the House and Senate.

However, voters will have the chance to weigh in at the ballot box in November, and Democrats are hoping to regain control of Congress for the last two years of Trump’s presidency. If they do, a Democrat-controlled House could move to impeach Trump for a third time.