119-HRES-1065 Journalist Public Summary

Headline Summary

A House measure to formally censure President Trump for a racist social‑media post and to urge an apology.

What It Does

H. Res. 1065 is a simple House resolution that would issue a formal, public rebuke (a censure) of President Donald Trump for reposting a video on February 5, 2026 that included false claims about the 2020 election and an image portraying Barack and Michelle Obama as primates. The measure labels the content racist, says it disgraced the office, and calls on the President to apologize. A censure carries no direct legal penalty but is meant to send a strong public message.

Who’s For It

• Sponsors: Rep. Steve Cohen (D‑TN) with Reps. Timothy Kennedy (D‑NY), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D‑NJ), and Al Green (D‑TX).
• Democratic supporters frame it as a stand against racism and a defense of civic norms and dignity of the office.
• Civil-rights advocates and many public figures criticized the post itself; some Republicans also condemned the content of the video cited in the resolution. Condemning the post does not necessarily mean they support this censure measure.

Who’s Against It

• No Republican co-sponsors at introduction; GOP opposition is likely, arguing the resolution is partisan or unnecessary.
• Free‑speech and process concerns: critics of censure over online speech often warn it can politicize disagreements and distract from policy work.
• Practical impact: opponents may note that a censure is symbolic and does not change governance, especially given the White House’s claim that a staffer posted the video.

What’s Next

Status: Introduced and referred to the House Judiciary Committee on February 13, 2026. Next steps could include a committee hearing/markup and, if approved, a House floor vote. As a simple House resolution, it does not go to the Senate or become law; it expresses the position of the House.