Republicans are sounding the alarm to their base: if Democrats reclaim the House, they will impeach former President Donald Trump yet again. Speaker Mike Johnson, in a recent interview with the Shreveport Times, warned that a Democratic victory could lead to Trump's third impeachment. Similarly, conservative voices like Bryon York and the National Republican Congressional Committee have highlighted this potentiality to rally conservative voters.

Despite these claims, many Democrats are distancing themselves from impeachment discussions. About a dozen Democratic strategists and officials expressed concerns about focusing on impeachment, fearing it could backfire by energizing Trump's base. Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) emphasized that the 'I' word should be avoided as it previously boosted Trump's support and fundraising efforts.

House Democratic leaders remain reluctant to initiate another impeachment, remembering the Senate acquittals from past attempts. They are aware that their narrow path to regaining the House majority does not necessarily benefit from reigniting impeachment debates. A source close to House leadership criticized Republicans for using fear tactics about impeachment in the midterm elections, noting that Democrats are focusing on broader accountability measures rather than direct impeachment.

Despite these hesitations, some members like Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) continue to push for impeachment. Green, known for his persistent efforts, even faced opposition from his own party members who joined Republicans to block his recent impeachment motion related to Iran airstrikes.

Historically, figures like Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) have been vocal about their desire to impeach Trump. However, the Democratic party's current strategy appears more reserved. Co-founder of Third Way, Matt Bennett, warned that pursuing impeachment could weaken Democrats' image and inadvertently play into Trump’s hands.

While some Democrats like Rep. Janelle Bynum advocate for using all available tools to hold the presidency accountable, others prefer focusing on legislative oversight and investigations. Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, suggested that the focus should extend beyond Trump to his enablers and collaborators.

With both parties entrenched in redistricting battles, some GOP operatives fear that too much focus on impeachment could complicate their efforts to maintain control in the midterms. They worry that losing the House could stall Trump’s legislative agenda, which has already faced challenges despite Republican control of Congress.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the debate over impeachment not only reflects the divisions within the Democratic Party but also underscores the broader strategic calculations playing out as both parties prepare for the upcoming elections.