Trump Fears His Impeachment Is Near as He Begs Republicans to Save Him

January 7, 2026 Sharon Banks

Trump delivered an urgent and personal appeal to House Republicans during a closed-door meeting at the Kennedy Center on Tuesday, imploring them to secure victories in the 2026 midterms to prevent what he described as an inevitable third impeachment.

The 79-year-old president framed the elections as critical to his political survival, warning that a Democratic takeover of the House would lead to swift efforts to remove him from office on any pretext.

Trump’s remarks showed the high stakes he attaches to maintaining Republican control of Congress, positioning the midterms as a defensive bulwark rather than a proactive policy mandate.

“You got to 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,” Trump told the assembled lawmakers, according to sources familiar with the discussion.

The president’s plea reflects growing anxiety within the administration as the GOP’s House majority—already razor-thin has been further eroded by recent departures, leaving Republicans vulnerable to even minor shifts in the political landscape.

Shrinking Majority Amid Departures and Losses

Trump’s warning comes at a moment of heightened fragility for House Republicans. The party’s edge has narrowed dramatically following two significant events.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) formally resigned her seat effective January 5, citing exhaustion with Washington gridlock and a bitter public falling-out with Trump over the handling of Jeffrey Epstein file releases. In her resignation video, Greene accused Trump of attempting to “destroy” her with primary spending: “I refuse to be a ‘battered wife’ hoping it all goes away and gets better.”

Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) died unexpectedly at age 65 on January 6, just as Democrats successfully redrew his district boundaries in a manner threatening Republican hold. LaMalfa had intended to seek reelection.

These losses reduced the GOP majority to 218-213, the slimmest possible margin in a 435-seat chamber (with four vacancies pending special elections). Any single defection, absence, or further departure could paralyze legislative action or enable Democratic procedural maneuvers.

Trump holds the distinction of being the only U.S. president impeached twice—and the third overall. His first impeachment in 2019 stemmed from efforts to pressure Ukraine into investigating political rivals, charging abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. A Republican Senate acquitted him.

The second, in January 2021 following the Capitol riot, accused him of incitement of insurrection. The Senate vote of 57-43 fell short of the two-thirds needed for conviction.

A third impeachment would require only a simple House majority to advance articles—achievable under Democratic control—before a Senate trial where conviction remains improbable given GOP numbers. However, the process itself could consume political capital, trigger investigations, and damage Trump’s legacy.

Potential grounds cited by Democrats include foreign policy actions (Venezuela strikes), Epstein file handling, and alleged ethics violations.

Did You Know?:Trump’s New ‘Decay’ Photos Send MAGA Base Into Public Denial: ‘He’s in Better Shape Than Most’

The Kennedy Center Meeting: Rallying the Troops

The gathering at the Kennedy Center—typically a cultural venue—was repurposed for political strategy, with Trump blending congratulations on his 2024 victory over Kamala Harris with dire warnings about 2026.

Sources describe Trump as animated, reiterating midterm importance while tying it explicitly to personal protection. The setting allowed direct engagement with lawmakers facing reelection pressures, many in competitive districts redrawn after the 2020 census.

House Speaker Mike Johnson and other leaders have echoed calls for unity, emphasizing policy achievements to motivate turnout. Trump’s personal framing, however, shifts focus to loyalty and survival.

The 2026 cycle presents formidable hurdles for Republicans. Historical trends favor the out-of-power party in midterms, compounded by economic concerns (persistent inflation, job market cooling), foreign policy controversies (Venezuela intervention), and cultural divides.

Recent polls show Trump’s approval softening, with independents citing governance fatigue. Open seats from retirements—like Greene’s and LaMalfa’s—create additional vulnerabilities.

Democrats need a net gain of just three seats to flip the House, unlocking subpoena power, investigations, and impeachment potential.

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Trump’s impeachment warning serves dual purposes: energizing the base with a “they’re out to get me” narrative while pressuring lawmakers to prioritize party discipline.

Democratic leaders seized on the comments as evidence of GOP priorities. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called it “an admission that Republicans view Congress as a shield for lawbreaking rather than a vehicle for lawmaking.”

Some Republicans privately expressed unease with the personal focus, worrying it alienates moderates who prefer policy-driven campaigns.