US President Donald Trump says Republicans must win the 2026congressional midterm elections or risk Democrats impeaching him. Trump spoke on Tuesday while addressing Republican lawmakersat a retreat in Washington. “You gotta win the midterms ’cause, if we don’t win themidterms, it’s just gonna be — I mean, they’ll find a reason to impeach me,” hesaid. “I’ll get impeached.” Trump warned that losing control of congress could stall hislegislative agenda and expose his administration to investigations. He urged Republican lawmakers, who narrowly control the UShouse of representatives, to put aside internal disagreements. Trump asked party members to sell Republican policies ongender, healthcare and election integrity to voters struggling with the cost ofliving. “They say that when you win the presidency, you lose themidterm,” he said. “I wish you could explain to me what the hell’s going onwith the mind of the public.” Trump made only a brief reference to inflation, stating thatthe problem was inherited from the Democrats. He said Republicans should campaign on gains in the US stockmarket. Trump also downplayed the January 6, 2021, attack on the USCapitol by his supporters. The remarks came as Democrats marked the fifth anniversaryof the riot and accused Republicans of attempting to “whitewash” history. The retreat held at the John F. Kennedy Centre for thePerforming Arts, which Trump said was recently renamed to include his namefollowing changes to its board. In an unscripted speech lasting more than an hour, Trumprepeated claims disputed by official records, including that Washington hadrecorded no homicides for months. He predicted that Republicans would deliver an “epic midtermvictory”. Trump also complained about party members he said wereunwilling to fall in line. Every seat in the house and one-third of the senate will becontested in November 2026. No sitting US president has avoided losing house seats inthe midterms since George W. Bush in 2006. Trump urged Republicans to counter Democrats’ messaging onhealthcare, including calls to extend subsidies linked to Obamacare. “All of these issues are very important issues, but you canown healthcare,” he told lawmakers. “Figure it out.” The president said conservative members should showflexibility over provisions such as the hyde amendment, which restricts federalfunding for abortion. Trump was impeached twice during his first term, but wasacquitted by the senate on both occasions. “I got impeached twice on nothing,” he said. Some house Democrats have introduced articles of impeachmentagainst Trump in his second term, allegations the White House denies. Republicans currently hold a slim majority in the house, ascenario Trump said limits the authority of Speaker Mike Johnson. “You can’t be tough when you have a majority of three,” hesaid. Trump has pushed to expand executive powers on immigration,military action and regulation, moves that could soon face scrutiny from thesupreme court.
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