Politics
‘Squad’ Rep. Backstabs Democrat Who Tried To Impeach Trump
A progressive “Squad” member is rankled by her fellow Democrat’s decision to pull his articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, and now she’s lining up behind a progressive primary challenger she hopes will oust him next cycle.
Shri Thanedar (D-MI), who withdrew the measure after pressure from establishment party leaders, is now in the crosshairs of Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), a “Squad” Democrat who also happens to be another member of Michigan’s congressional delegation.
Behind the scenes, the knives are out for Thanedar. Tlaib became the first sitting lawmaker to back a challenge by a progressive rival who has made the flaccid impeachment attempt an issue on the campaign trail. If the race continues on its current trajectory, it may become next year’s totemic clash of progressive idealism.
Other Democrats declined to weigh in with endorsements but said Thanedar will benefit if more opponents jump into the race.
“The question is can there be a clear alternative vs. a multiprimary field,” former Michigan Rep. Mark Schauer (D) told The Hill.
Thanedar rose from relative obscurity to a mild footnote in the 2025 political discourse after proposing to impeach Trump a third time. He first entered politics in his 2018 run for governor of Michigan after making his fortune in pharmaceuticals.
But the largesse wasn’t without its own skeletons, both figurative and literal. Immediately after gaining newfound notoriety, critics resurfaced old allegations that Thanedar left dozens of lab animals to starve and die after his bankrupt company abandoned its facility.
He was elected to the Michigan state House in 2020 and won an open seat for the state’s 13th Congressional District two years later. Since then, Thanedar has cultivated a progressive profile, campaigning for a $15 national minimum wage and Medicare for All.
But the question of his bona fides remains a bone of contention with Democratic activists who point to his donation to John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign and rumors that he was previously preparing to run as a Republican.
Thanedar has denied the allegation that he was considering a Republican run, and he excused the McCain donation as a requirement of attending an event to ask the late senator a question.
His personal wealth has also led to fissures with the progressive movement. He officially renounced his membership in the Democratic Socialists of America in 2023 over the group’s participation in an anti-Israel rally that he criticized as antisemitic.
The sapphire blue 13th District is a safe Democratic seat. Thanedar faced a primary challenger last year in Detroit City Council member Mary Waters but prevailed by 20 points.
Progressives hope this time will be different, however. The far left has recruited state Rep. Donavan McKinney (D), who is running with Tlaib’s blessing to wage war on a fellow Democrat that few see as a kindred spirit in their causes. Former state Sen. Adam Hollier, who previously ran but failed to garner the necessary number of signatures, is also in the race.
In early ads, McKinney has sought to cast Thanedar in the mold of Trump and Elon Musk, arguing his self-funding political operation leaves him out of touch with working-class Michiganders.
In a statement to the outlet, McKinney said he has an “incredibly broad spectrum of support” and added Tlaib, the only other member of Congress who represents part of Detroit, needs a “real partner in Washington to deliver for our communities at home.”
“From Detroit to Downriver and beyond, we’ve been left behind and forgotten by Washington for far too long,” McKinney said. “And that’s because you can’t fight for our communities if you’re an out-of-touch millionaire bought by corporate super PACs and billionaire-funded lobbies.”
A spokesman for Thanedar said he remains “highly popular” in his district.
“While some in the establishment may support one of his opponents, voters resonate more with the Congressman because they know his story of struggle, overcoming poverty, and achieving his American Dream,” they said. “Voters know that Congressman Thanedar is fighting for them every day in Congress, for things like education, workforce development, healthcare, housing, so they can achieve their American Dream.”
