A panel of co-hosts on the daytime talk show 'The View' recently aligned with former Vice President Kamala Harris, expressing the view that pursuing impeachment against former President Donald Trump would not be an optimal allocation of the Democratic Party's time and resources should they regain legislative majorities in Congress.
Harris had previously cautioned against such a path, stating on 'The Parnas Perspective' podcast, "I think that going on in the direction of impeachment is not a good idea. OK, just to be honest with you. Because we have limited resources, and I think the energy and the resources need to be put into accountability, need to be put into investigations. And that's where the time should be spent." She also highlighted the practical challenge, noting, "Remember, I was in the Senate for the last go-round and the votes aren't there, right? So, that's how I feel."
Following the broadcast of Harris's comments, the co-hosts of 'The View' largely concurred with her strategic assessment.
Alternative Legislative Priorities
Co-host Sunny Hostin articulated her perspective on alternative priorities. "In terms of Trump, no, I don't think that's what should be on the agenda," she remarked. Hostin pointed to Representative Hakeem Jeffries, whom she believes is poised to become the next Speaker of the House, and his proposed legislative agenda. "Hakeem Jeffries — who I believe will be the next speaker of the House, after November — he has a plan for 100 days which includes tax credits, taking care of the tax credits, limiting ICE and also stock trades."
She further elaborated on a more immediate plan: "And then he's got a plan for the first 100 hours, which would include, you know, just undoing a lot of unpopular Trump policies. So, I think there is a plan in place that Democrats have, and it may not include impeaching Trump."
Focus on Elections and Feasibility
Ana Navarro, another co-host, stressed the importance of electoral focus and political realism. "I think that Democrats have to be realistic of what's achievable," she stated. "We are four days away from the election. So, before we start talking about what Democrats are going to do once they win, they've got to make sure they win."
Navarro urged a shift in public discourse: "People have to focus not on all of the conversation about impeachment and what is going to happen but rather on getting out the vote and getting people to the polls so that the American people decide who they want in power in the House and in the Senate."
She also underscored the inherent limitations of legislative action, even with a Democratic majority. "There's a limit to what Democrats are going to be able to do even if they win the House, even if they win the House and the Senate, because Donald Trump is still president," Navarro explained. "Legislation in this country needs to be signed by the president. If not, it needs to have a veto-proof majority. And I think that's going to be very difficult to achieve. I'm completely against impeachment."
Concluding her remarks, Navarro added, "There's 100 other ways to hold Donald Trump and his administration accountable. Impeachment is an exercise that's moot if you don't have the 67 votes in the Senate required to indict."
Joy Behar referenced historical precedent, recalling former President Richard Nixon's resignation after Republican lawmakers indicated he lacked sufficient Senate support to avoid conviction if impeached. Behar echoed the sentiment regarding Trump, stating, "If we don't have the votes to convict, there's no point in impeaching."
Voter Dissatisfaction and Policy Delivery
Sara Haines also concurred with the prevailing sentiment, suggesting that many of Trump’s previous supporters now feel disillusioned by unfulfilled campaign promises. She posited that Democrats could capitalize on this dissatisfaction by focusing on delivering on their own commitments.
"It's important to recognize the moment," Haines commented. "Donald Trump was elected and promised things he never touched. He's been remodeling, redecorating, working to revenge, all the things. The voters were left high and dry, which is why we're seeing some red states flip full to blue," she noted, observing the current political landscape. "That's why we are watching this campaigning."
Haines emphasized the need for demonstrable action from Democrats: "They need to see someone get in there, hold them accountable, do the investigations, fine. But really show the American people that what they promised, to fix all these things, that immediately there's action taken. Even if it can't get past the president. Spin the wheels. Show the people that you are putting up policy, that you are taking things to vote, that you are actually acting for the people that put you there."
Cost and Bipartisan Opportunities
Alyssa Farah Griffin highlighted the financial implications of an impeachment process. "Impeachment is not where the focus should be," she asserted. "It costs actually a lot of money to do a trial, do the investigation."
Griffin advocated for bipartisan efforts on issues that could benefit a broad spectrum of Americans. "What I think is important is there are day one things that would be beneficial for all Americans and a lot of Republicans would be on board with that a Democratic Congress could do," she continued. "Repealing Trump's tariffs, that is the power of the purse controlled by Congress and trying to wind down or pause the war in Iran. Those are things you should get Republican votes to do. That will bring down people's fuel prices. Those are where the focus should be."
Strategic Warning from Democratic Veteran
The panel's discussion echoes earlier warnings from veteran Democratic strategist James Carville. Earlier this month, Carville advised Democrats against prioritizing Trump's impeachment if they were to secure congressional control in the midterm elections.
"Our job is to fight for the real lives of real people, solving their problems, while providing appropriate oversight of the executive branch and trusting the electorate provides accountability," Carville stated. He further cautioned, "The quickest path back to the minority or continuing to be on the outside, looking into the White House, is to focus on revenge and score settling."
