Dozens of Democrats vote for failed effort to advance Trump impeachment after U.S. strikes in Iran

Dozens of Democrats voted Tuesday to advance articles of impeachment against President Trump following his decision to bomb Iran’s nuclear sites on Saturday, but the measure was killed by a bipartisan vote.

The House voted 344-79 to table an impeachment resolution filed by Rep. Al Green, Texas Democrat and longtime Trump opponent.

The vote marked the first attempt by House Democrats to impeach Mr. Trump in his second term and came after Democratic Party leaders and members criticized the president for striking Iran without first seeking approval from Congress.

Among Democrats, 79 voted against tabling Mr. Green’s impeachment resolution.

Another 128 Democrats voted with all Republicans to scuttle the impeachment effort.

Mr. Green said Mr. Trump should be impeached because he disregarded the separation of powers by ordering Saturday’s strikes on Iran’s Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear facilities.

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“I believe that if we do not take immediate action, this authoritarian president will not only devolve the country into authoritarianism. I believe he is a would-be dictator who would become a dictator,” Mr. Green said in a House floor speech.

Mr. Green has tried to thwart Mr. Trump in the past. He filed impeachment articles against Mr. Trump during his first term.

And when the president addressed a joint session of Congress earlier this year, Mr. Green entered the well of the House and disrupted the speech, telling Mr. Trump “you have no mandate” to cut Medicaid. He shook his gold-handled cane at the rostrum where the president was speaking.

Mr. Green was removed by House security staff.

Democratic leaders had tried to steer clear of forcing impeachment votes on Mr. Trump since he took office in January.

The president was impeached twice by Democrats during his first term under then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, who has since stepped down from leadership. The Senate acquitted him both times.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, New York Democrat, tamped down an earlier attempt to force an impeachment vote by Rep. Shri Thanedar, Michigan Democrat.

After Mr. Trump ordered the strikes on Iran, liberal “squad” member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York Democrat, called on the House to impeach Mr. Trump and he responded by calling her “one of the dumbest people in Congress.” He dared her to move ahead with her plan.

“She and her Democrat friends have just hit the Lowest Poll Numbers in Congressional History,” Mr. Trump said in a social media post Tuesday. “So go ahead and try Impeaching me, again, MAKE MY DAY!”