Condemning and censuring President Donald Trump.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1065
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-13: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-26T09:07:09Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 1065) aims to formally condemn and censure President Donald Trump for reposting a social media video on February 5, 2026, that included racist imagery depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as primates. It emphasizes the post's violation of national values like equality and pluralism, and calls for an apology to uphold the President's oath of office.
Key Provisions
- Background Clauses ("Whereas" Statements):
- Affirms U.S. national motto "E Pluribus Unum" (Out of many, one) and values of equality, opportunity, and pluralism.
- Accuses President Trump of a history of maligning immigrants, people of color, and religious minorities, including past false claims about President Obama's birthplace.
- Details the specific incident: On February 5, 2026, at 11:44 p.m., Trump reposted a 62-second video falsely claiming 2020 election voter fraud, which included the racist primate imagery.
- Notes the imagery as a longstanding racist stereotype against Black people.
- Highlights bipartisan condemnation (e.g., from Senator Tim Scott), initial White House defense of the post as "fake outrage," delayed removal on February 6, 2026, and Trump's refusal to apologize, claiming he did not fully view the video and blaming a staffer.
- Resolved Clause:
- Censures and condemns President Trump for the post, stating it violates his constitutional oath to uphold and defend the Constitution.
- Calls on Trump to apologize for disgracing the presidency and dishonoring the United States.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, not a law, so it introduces no changes to existing statutes, regulations, or legal frameworks. It serves as an expression of the House's disapproval rather than enforceable legislation.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Minimal direct impact, but it may strain relations between the White House and Congress, particularly the House Judiciary Committee to which it was referred, potentially affecting legislative cooperation.
- On Citizens: Could heighten public discourse on racism and social media responsibility among leaders, influencing perceptions of the presidency and encouraging civic engagement on civil rights issues. It may provide symbolic support to affected communities, such as people of color.
- On International Relations: Limited, but the resolution's focus on racism could indirectly affect the U.S.'s global image as a defender of democratic values and diversity, possibly drawing international media attention.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- President Donald Trump and White House Staff: Directly targeted for censure, with potential reputational damage and calls for staff accountability.
- Former Presidents Barack and Michelle Obama: Portrayed as victims of the racist post, amplifying their roles in discussions of racial justice.
- Members of Congress: Sponsors (e.g., Rep. Cohen, Rep. Kennedy of New York) and bipartisan critics (e.g., Sen. Tim Scott) are highlighted; the House as a body expresses a collective stance.
- Civil Rights Organizations and Minorities: Noted for their condemnation, potentially empowered by the resolution's recognition of ongoing racial scapegoating.
- American Public: Broadly affected through the emphasis on national values, with implications for trust in leadership.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: No enforceable penalties; House censure is a symbolic rebuke without legal force, unlike impeachment (removal from office) or Senate censure.
- Constitutional: References the President's oath under Article II to "faithfully execute" the office and "preserve, protect, and defend" the Constitution, framing the post as a breach of these duties, though it lacks judicial weight.
- Political: Highlights partisan and bipartisan divides on race and leadership accountability; introduced in the 119th Congress (2d Session) on February 13, 2026, it could influence midterm elections, public opinion, or future oversight of presidential social media use, but its passage is uncertain given referral to the Judiciary Committee.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-13: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-02-13: Submitted in House
- 2026-02-13: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Condemning and censuring President Donald Trump. — issued 2026-02-13 — PDF (3 pages)