Democratic Representative Al Green of Texas announced in a blistering speech on the House floor that he'll bring articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump after Trump announced his intention for the U.S. to "own" Gaza and turn it into the "Riviera of the Middle East."
During a press conference in Washington, D.C., with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, Trump suggested that the U.S. could "take over" and "own" the war-torn territory.
Trump said the U.S. would "take over the Gaza Strip" in a "long-term ownership position" and "level it out and create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area." He said this could become "the Riviera of the Middle East" with "representatives from all over the world" living there.
However, Trump also proposed relocating some of Gaza’s estimated two million residents, suggesting they could be moved to Jordan or Egypt if those countries would "open their hearts and give us the kind of land that we need to get this done."
In response, Green said he'd brought articles of impeachment against Trump over the alleged threat of "ethnic cleansing in Gaza," adding:
"The movement to impeach the president has begun. I rise to announce that I will bring Articles of Impeachment against the president for dastardly deeds proposed and dastardly deeds done."
"Ethnic cleansing in Gaza is not a joke, especially when it emanates from the President of the United States, the most powerful person in the world. The prime minister of Israel should be ashamed, knowing the history of his people, to stand there and allow such things to be said."
"Ethnic cleansing has been a crime against humanity, and I stand here today in the well to denounce what was said, to denounce what the president said, to denounce the complicity of the Prime Minister of Israel, and to remind people that Dr. King was right: 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.'"
Green added that he “laid the foundation for impeachment” and will do it again:
“I know that it’s time for us to lay the foundation again. On some issues, it is better to stand alone than not stand at all. On this issue, I stand alone, but I stand for justice.”
You can hear what he said in the video below.
The news was embraced by many who have continued to criticize Trump's proposal.
Republicans are already dismissing Green's impeachment attempt.
After Green's speech, Republican Representative Mike Bost of Illinois, who was presiding in place of Speaker Mike Johnson, reminded members "to refrain from engaging in personalities towards the president."
Johnson himself brushed aside any concerns about Trump's comments, saying Trump has "taken bold, decisive action to try to ensure the peace of that region."
Johnson—overlooking the ramifications such a plan would have on U.S. relationships with the Arab world—insisted "we've got to stand unequivocally, in an unwavering manner, with Israel, our closest friend and ally in the Middle East."
