Butte-Silver Bow Judiciary Committee Meeting on Impeachment Request, April 23, 2026
Butte-Silver Bow Judiciary Committee Meeting on Impeachment Request, April 23, 2026
The Judiciary Committee of the Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners reconvened to discuss Communication Number 2026-175, submitted by Mark Phillip. The request asked the Commission to affirm that Butte American finds cause for and recommends that the U.S. House of Representatives vote to impeach President Trump. After debate, the committee voted to move the communication to the full council for further discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mark Phillip presented his request, emphasizing that he was focusing on what he termed an unconstitutional and illegal war of aggression. He provided a streamlined letter and a resolution, but acknowledged confusion over the proper format. He expressed that the issue is existential and nonpartisan, grounded in constitutional and international law, and urged the commission to speak with a unified voice for core values.
Discussion Items
- Commissioner Thatcher opposed the request, arguing it is outside the commission's realm of duty, could risk losing federal funding (citing previous funding cuts), and is a partisan political statement rather than a local governance matter. She noted that the community appears split and that each citizen can send letters individually.
- Commissioner Gerbrand supported the request, stating it is nonpartisan and allows local citizenry to have a voice, reading from the letter about restoring honor and moral authority.
- Commissioner Healy expressed uncertainty, acknowledging the political nature of the issue but also supporting Mr. Phillip's right to use his voice. She suggested modifying the language to reflect the commission's opinion rather than a factual claim of unconstitutionality.
- Commissioner Callahan argued that the request is simply to send a letter, not an impeachment itself, and that claiming the action is political ignores that the president frequently breaks the law. He noted that the commission already takes positions that displease some constituents.
- Commissioner Mankins struggled with the decision, valuing the need to represent all constituents regardless of political affiliation. He sought further clarification from Commissioner Callahan.
- County Attorney Anne Ruth clarified that no court or Congress has declared the president's actions unconstitutional; that remains an opinion. She also stated that a letter could be sent without a resolution, as a normal communication.
- Mr. Phillip responded to concerns, arguing that the impeachment process does not require a prior judicial determination of unconstitutionality and that the community can interpret the Constitution for itself. He defended his effort as nonpartisan and based on conservative and libertarian sources.
Key Outcomes
- Commissioner Thatcher made a motion to move Communication Number 2026-175 to the full council for discussion and consideration. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote (all in favor).
- The committee then entertained a motion to adjourn, which was approved.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, we are going to reconvene the Judiciary Committee meeting. Um a new roll call is that everybody who was present at the beginning of the meeting is also present at the reconvening. Commissioner Shea, Commissioner Thatcher, Commissioner Callahan, Commissioner Minkins, Commissioner Healy, Commissioner Gerbrand, and County Attorney Ann Ruth is also in attendance. We'll go back to item number one, communication number 2026-175. Mark Phillip, 1150 West Gold, Butte Montana requesting Council of Commissioners to affirm that Butte American finds cause for and recommends that the U.S. House of Representatives vote to impeach President Trump. I believe, Mr. Phillip, did you have anything else to add from your comments earlier? At this at this moment, anyway. Sure. Thank you, Chair Shea. Just briefly, um, I've provided the letter tonight. I apologize for not getting that out earlier as I had planned to. Uh I've had a busy week and other obligations. Um the letter you see is um streamlined. Um I'd say in line with my original presentation to the uh the commission with regard to just focusing on the unconstitutional and illegal start of a war of aggression. Um in the resolution that I provided, um, I expanded beyond those themes and brought up other issues such as the concern for war crimes based on what was in the news at the time. Um if there's any feedback that can be provided on the resolution and the content. Um I am open to streamlining that resolution as well and just focusing on the one item of uh an unconstitutional and illegal war of aggression. Thank you, Mr. Phillip. Uh I'll open the floor up to Commissioners. Commissioner Thatcher. Uh thank you, Chair Oman Shea. Thank you, Mr. Phillip, for the work that you've put into this. I'm just gonna come out and say I'm still against this. I I don't I mean I agree with your sentiment. I still am of the belief though that this is not in our realm of duty as um local commissioners. I had spoken with somebody else, and you know the idea behind local government is also to make decisions that actually will have an impact on something. And so in my mind, while this can make some sort of a statement, I feel it's not going to actually impeach the president of the United States for because as we all know, we don't have that power. Um like I said, I appreciate it. I I believe firmly in in where you stand, but as and from the opposing side that we've heard from, I'm I also believe that this is more of a partisan move than other members of this body believe, which is totally fine. But I that's where I struggle. I don't believe that this is in our realm of duties as local government officials. I I could I'm sure I'm in the minority on that, but just to get the conversation rolling, and then I I guess maybe we can figure out what to do on this. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Thatcher. Um County Attorney Anne Ruth. Uh Chairman Shea, Commissioners. I also had a couple of individuals uh email and call, and just for the record, uh and so it is clear. Um it has not been found to be unconstitutional at this time. That is still an opinion, and it is a lot of people's opinions, and that is fine, but no court or Congress has found to be unconstitutional yet. So we just need to be clear on that type of language in a letter. Thank you, County Attorney Enruth. Any other commissioners? Commissioner Gerbrand. Yes, madam chair. Um I believe that this is uh nonpartisan. And I also believe in what uh Mr.
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