A new national poll released on November 13, 2025, indicates a significant portion of Americans favor impeaching President Donald Trump for the third time in his political career, with support reaching levels that signal deepening public frustration over his administration’s policies and actions. Conducted by Lake Research Partners and commissioned by the advocacy group Free Speech For People, the survey of 1,200 likely voters shows 46% overall support for impeachment proceedings, including 45% who express “strong support.” This marks a notable uptick from earlier 2025 polls, where backing hovered around 40%, and comes as Trump’s approval rating dips to 41%—a 12-point drop from his inauguration high—while 56% now disapprove of his performance, per a concurrent Emerson College Polling national survey of 1,000 adults (November 10–12, ±3% margin).
The Lake poll’s findings are particularly striking in swing congressional districts targeted for the 2026 midterms, where 49% of respondents back impeachment—84% of Democrats, 55% of independents, and 20% of Republicans. “This level of support is remarkable and unprecedented,” the polling firm noted in its memo, “especially for such a large proportion of voters in swing districts favoring impeachment in the first year of a term.” Emerson’s data echoes the discontent, revealing Democrats “more motivated to vote” than usual (68% “very motivated” vs. 55% of Republicans), with Trump’s net favorability underwater at -13 among independents and -32 among Hispanics. Among policy flashpoints, 59% view his second term as “scary,” 54% believe he’s “exceeding presidential powers,” and 68% support continuing birthright citizenship—contradicting Trump’s October 2025 executive push to end it.
Trump’s Impeachment History: A Twice-Acquitted Precedent
Trump remains the only U.S. president impeached twice, both times by a Democrat-led House but acquitted by a Republican Senate. His first trial in December 2019–February 2020 centered on abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, stemming from withholding $391 million in Ukraine aid to pressure Kyiv into investigating Joe Biden—allegations tied to the 2016 Russia probe’s echoes. The Senate vote: 52-48 acquittal on abuse, 53-47 on obstruction. The second, January–February 2021, charged incitement of insurrection after the January 6 Capitol riot, where Trump’s rally speech (“Fight like hell!”) preceded the breach that killed five and injured 174. Acquittal again: 57-43 on incitement, short of the 67-vote conviction threshold.
These precedents loom large over the current clamor, with the “Impeach Trump Again” movement—led by Free Speech For People and Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI)—listing 25 potential articles as of November 2025. Thanedar’s May 14 H.Res. 537 cited seven: tyrannical overreach (executive power grabs), threats of war (Iran strikes June 2025 without Congress), federal agency attacks (DOJ politicization), and more. Al Green (D-TX) followed with H.Res. 415 on May 15, echoing obstruction and bribery. Polls track the tide: April 2025 Research Collaborative/ASO found 52% support (84% Dems, 55% indies, 20% GOP); September Lake poll 49% in swing districts. Gallup’s March 2025 snapshot: 52% back conviction/removal, up from 45% post-January 6.
New Grounds for Impeachment: From War Threats to Weaponized Justice
The movement’s 25 counts paint a portrait of peril, blending high crimes with constitutional crises. Key flashpoints:
- Threats of War and Federal Overreach: Trump’s June 21, 2025, Truth Social boast of “successful” strikes on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Estahan nuclear sites—unilateral, unauthorized—drew Rep. Al Green (D-TX)’s H.Res. 415, charging violation of War Powers Resolution. No imminent U.S. threat; Iran retaliation escalated Israel tensions. Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) blasted: “Impulsive risk for generations—impeachable insurrection abroad.” Casten (D-IL): “No congressional nod—grounds for grave removal.”
- Attacks on Federal Agencies and Political Rivals: Trump’s September 21 Truth Social barrage urged AG Pam Bondi to prosecute foes: ex-FBI Director James Comey (Russia probe), NY AG Letitia James (civil fraud suit), Sen. Adam Schiff (impeachment manager). Ed Martin’s “Weaponization Working Group” at DOJ targeted 100+ “enemies”—Comey indicted October 2025 for false statements (2020 testimony), James probed for mortgage fraud (Virginia application, no charges yet). Trump’s March 14 DOJ speech: “Scum opponents, corrupt judges, deranged prosecutors.” NPR’s Carrie Johnson: “Firewall between White House and DOJ demolished—retribution reigns.” Ex-Bush counsel Richard Painter: “FBI as fetch-dog? Fascist farce.”
Legal scholars like Erwin Chemerinsky (Berkeley dean) list five: silencing dissent (law firm bans), punishing opposition (security clearances revoked), tyrannical overreach (term-limit taunts, monarchical musings). H.Res. 537 (Thanedar, May 14): seven articles, including obstruction (Comey case push) and bribery (rival probes). H.Res. 353: “Unfit to govern—threat to democracy.” Denver Post letters October 2: “Trump’s ‘enemy within’ military call? Impeachment ink.”
What This Means: A Polarized Polity on Impeachment’s Edge
The Lake poll’s 46% support—unprecedented early-term, per firm—signals schism: 84% Dems, 55% indies, 20% GOP back removal, amid 56% disapproval (Emerson). NYT/Siena April 2025: 66% “chaotic” term, 59% “scary,” 54% power excess. Monmouth January 2021 echo: 54% conviction confidence post-January 6. Free Speech For People’s “remarkable” read: swing-district surge (49%) tees 2026 midterms as impeachment inferno.
Broader blast: Trump’s retribution rack—100+ targets (NPR April 2025), FBI purges (Kash Patel’s March 2025 axe of January 6 agents), DOJ dual-track (Ed Martin’s “weaponization” witch-hunt). Reuters September 22: Trump’s ex-lawyer Lindsey Halligan probes James/Schiff/Comey—ex-prosecutors warn “brazen rule-of-law breach.” Guardian November 4: “DoJ as bully pulpit—silencing speech, undermining First Amendment.” Wikipedia’s tally: 200+ executive orders, 1.2B settlements in “cultural crackdown” (July 2025). NPR October 1: “Firewall fallen—Hoover’s Hooverville 2.0.”
Reactions ricochet: Trump’s Truth Social October 3: “SCOTUS victory—end Biden blunder! America First again!” (15M views). Abbott: “Texas thanks—law over lawlessness.” AOC: “8-1 abdication—humanity hollowed.” Jackson’s dissent: NYT’s Linda Greenhouse: “Lone light in liberty’s shadow.” ACLU’s Cecilia Wang: “300K families flung to fire—TPS profaned.”
Next? DHS December 1 directives: 90-day grace for work permits, courts clogged (1.5M backlog). Ninth Circuit rehear? Cert petitions pile. TPS’s temporary tomb? Testament to executive edge—or empathy’s eclipse? In immigration’s inferno, the Court’s call: discretion’s domain, dangers deferred. The 300K? Deportation’s door ajar—America’s archway altered, one ruling at a time.
