diff --git a/src/smt/expand_definitions.cpp b/src/smt/expand_definitions.cpp
index d1d02b40ca9..690f15e1b0f 100644
--- a/src/smt/expand_definitions.cpp
+++ b/src/smt/expand_definitions.cpp
@@ -85,15 +85,8 @@ Node ExpandDefs::expandDefinitions(TNode n,
       Assert(tr != NULL);
       // ensure rewritten
       Node nr = rewrite(n);
-      TrustNode trn = tr->expandDefinition(nr);
-      if (!trn.isNull())
-      {
-        node = trn.getNode();
-      }
-      else
-      {
-        node = nr;
-      }
+      Node nre = tr->expandDefinition(nr);
+      node = nre.isNull() ? nr : nre;
       // the partial functions can fall through, in which case we still
       // consider their children
       worklist.push(std::make_tuple(
diff --git a/src/theory/arith/arith_rewriter.cpp b/src/theory/arith/arith_rewriter.cpp
index bc2878156b0..a5265ba3add 100644
--- a/src/theory/arith/arith_rewriter.cpp
+++ b/src/theory/arith/arith_rewriter.cpp
@@ -1232,13 +1232,13 @@ RewriteResponse ArithRewriter::postRewriteTranscendental(TNode t)
   return RewriteResponse(REWRITE_DONE, t);
 }
 
-TrustNode ArithRewriter::expandDefinition(Node node)
+Node ArithRewriter::expandDefinition(Node node)
 {
   // call eliminate operators, to eliminate partial operators only
   std::vector<SkolemLemma> lems;
   TrustNode ret = d_opElim.eliminate(node, lems, true);
   Assert(lems.empty());
-  return ret;
+  return ret.getNode();
 }
 
 RewriteResponse ArithRewriter::returnRewrite(TNode t, Node ret, Rewrite r)
diff --git a/src/theory/arith/arith_rewriter.h b/src/theory/arith/arith_rewriter.h
index f16c9f971e0..0e72248ac08 100644
--- a/src/theory/arith/arith_rewriter.h
+++ b/src/theory/arith/arith_rewriter.h
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ class ArithRewriter : public TheoryRewriter
    * Expand definition, which eliminates extended operators like div/mod in
    * the given node.
    */
-  TrustNode expandDefinition(Node node) override;
+  Node expandDefinition(Node node) override;
   /**
    * Rewrite inequality to bv. If ineq contains a single bv2nat term, then
    * if possible, return an equivalent formula involving a bitvector inequality.
diff --git a/src/theory/arrays/theory_arrays.cpp b/src/theory/arrays/theory_arrays.cpp
index 397658a33ac..b372600f24d 100644
--- a/src/theory/arrays/theory_arrays.cpp
+++ b/src/theory/arrays/theory_arrays.cpp
@@ -78,9 +78,7 @@ TheoryArrays::TheoryArrays(Env& env,
           name + "number of setModelVal conflicts")),
       d_ppEqualityEngine(env, userContext(), name + "pp", true),
       d_ppFacts(userContext()),
-      d_rrEpg(env.isTheoryProofProducing() ? new EagerProofGenerator(env)
-                                           : nullptr),
-      d_rewriter(env.getNodeManager(), env.getRewriter(), d_rrEpg.get()),
+      d_rewriter(env.getNodeManager(), env.getRewriter()),
       d_state(env, valuation),
       d_im(env, *this, d_state),
       d_literalsToPropagate(context()),
@@ -312,10 +310,11 @@ TrustNode TheoryArrays::ppRewrite(TNode term, std::vector<SkolemLemma>& lems)
     }
   }
   // see if we need to expand definitions
-  TrustNode texp = d_rewriter.expandDefinition(term);
+  Node texp = d_rewriter.expandDefinition(term);
   if (!texp.isNull())
   {
-    return texp;
+    // do not track proofs here
+    return TrustNode::mkTrustRewrite(term, texp, nullptr);
   }
   if (!d_preprocess)
   {
@@ -373,12 +372,12 @@ Theory::PPAssertStatus TheoryArrays::ppAssert(
     {
       d_ppFacts.push_back(in);
       d_ppEqualityEngine.assertEquality(in, true, in);
-      if (in[0].isVar() && isLegalElimination(in[0], in[1]))
+      if (in[0].isVar() && d_valuation.isLegalElimination(in[0], in[1]))
       {
         outSubstitutions.addSubstitutionSolved(in[0], in[1], tin);
         return PP_ASSERT_STATUS_SOLVED;
       }
-      if (in[1].isVar() && isLegalElimination(in[1], in[0]))
+      if (in[1].isVar() && d_valuation.isLegalElimination(in[1], in[0]))
       {
         outSubstitutions.addSubstitutionSolved(in[1], in[0], tin);
         return PP_ASSERT_STATUS_SOLVED;
diff --git a/src/theory/arrays/theory_arrays.h b/src/theory/arrays/theory_arrays.h
index a40e431ba82..f11e7413d9b 100644
--- a/src/theory/arrays/theory_arrays.h
+++ b/src/theory/arrays/theory_arrays.h
@@ -182,8 +182,6 @@ class TheoryArrays : public Theory {
   bool ppDisequal(TNode a, TNode b);
   Node solveWrite(TNode term, bool solve1, bool solve2, bool ppCheck);
 
-  /** An eager proof generator for the rewriter, if proof are enabled */
-  std::unique_ptr<EagerProofGenerator> d_rrEpg;
   /** The theory rewriter for this theory. */
   TheoryArraysRewriter d_rewriter;
   /** A (default) theory state object */
diff --git a/src/theory/arrays/theory_arrays_rewriter.cpp b/src/theory/arrays/theory_arrays_rewriter.cpp
index 7f8453e3495..17dd0fab043 100644
--- a/src/theory/arrays/theory_arrays_rewriter.cpp
+++ b/src/theory/arrays/theory_arrays_rewriter.cpp
@@ -64,9 +64,8 @@ void setMostFrequentValueCount(TNode store, uint64_t count)
 }
 
 TheoryArraysRewriter::TheoryArraysRewriter(NodeManager* nm,
-                                           Rewriter* r,
-                                           EagerProofGenerator* epg)
-    : TheoryRewriter(nm), d_rewriter(r), d_epg(epg)
+                                           Rewriter* r)
+    : TheoryRewriter(nm), d_rewriter(r)
 {
   registerProofRewriteRule(ProofRewriteRule::ARRAYS_SELECT_CONST,
                            TheoryRewriteCtx::PRE_DSL);
@@ -717,22 +716,16 @@ RewriteResponse TheoryArraysRewriter::preRewrite(TNode node)
   return RewriteResponse(REWRITE_DONE, node);
 }
 
-TrustNode TheoryArraysRewriter::expandDefinition(Node node)
+Node TheoryArraysRewriter::expandDefinition(Node node)
 {
   Kind kind = node.getKind();
 
   if (kind == Kind::EQ_RANGE)
   {
-    Node expandedEqRange = expandEqRange(d_nm, node);
-    if (d_epg)
-    {
-      return d_epg->mkTrustNodeRewrite(
-          node, expandedEqRange, ProofRewriteRule::ARRAYS_EQ_RANGE_EXPAND);
-    }
-    return TrustNode::mkTrustRewrite(node, expandedEqRange, nullptr);
+    return expandEqRange(d_nm, node);
   }
 
-  return TrustNode::null();
+  return Node::null();
 }
 
 }  // namespace arrays
diff --git a/src/theory/arrays/theory_arrays_rewriter.h b/src/theory/arrays/theory_arrays_rewriter.h
index 4a172d0954c..2792d1118c1 100644
--- a/src/theory/arrays/theory_arrays_rewriter.h
+++ b/src/theory/arrays/theory_arrays_rewriter.h
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@
 
 namespace cvc5::internal {
 
-class EagerProofGenerator;
 class Env;
 
 namespace theory {
@@ -46,7 +45,7 @@ static inline Node mkEqNode(Node a, Node b) { return a.eqNode(b); }
 class TheoryArraysRewriter : public TheoryRewriter
 {
  public:
-  TheoryArraysRewriter(NodeManager* nm, Rewriter* r, EagerProofGenerator* epg);
+  TheoryArraysRewriter(NodeManager* nm, Rewriter* r);
 
   /** Normalize a constant whose index type has cardinality indexCard */
   static Node normalizeConstant(NodeManager* nm,
@@ -72,7 +71,7 @@ class TheoryArraysRewriter : public TheoryRewriter
    */
   Node rewriteViaRule(ProofRewriteRule id, const Node& n) override;
 
-  TrustNode expandDefinition(Node node) override;
+  Node expandDefinition(Node node) override;
 
   /**
    * Puts array constant node into normal form. This is so that array constants
@@ -89,8 +88,6 @@ class TheoryArraysRewriter : public TheoryRewriter
    * be removed.
    */
   Rewriter* d_rewriter;
-  /** Pointer to an eager proof generator, if proof are enabled */
-  EagerProofGenerator* d_epg;
 }; /* class TheoryArraysRewriter */
 
 }  // namespace arrays
diff --git a/src/theory/booleans/theory_bool.cpp b/src/theory/booleans/theory_bool.cpp
index fff12c19291..be702299609 100644
--- a/src/theory/booleans/theory_bool.cpp
+++ b/src/theory/booleans/theory_bool.cpp
@@ -63,12 +63,12 @@ Theory::PPAssertStatus TheoryBool::ppAssert(
     else if (in[0].getKind() == Kind::EQUAL && in[0][0].getType().isBoolean())
     {
       TNode eq = in[0];
-      if (eq[0].isVar() && isLegalElimination(eq[0], eq[1]))
+      if (eq[0].isVar() && d_valuation.isLegalElimination(eq[0], eq[1]))
       {
         outSubstitutions.addSubstitutionSolved(eq[0], eq[1].notNode(), tin);
         return PP_ASSERT_STATUS_SOLVED;
       }
-      else if (eq[1].isVar() && isLegalElimination(eq[1], eq[0]))
+      else if (eq[1].isVar() && d_valuation.isLegalElimination(eq[1], eq[0]))
       {
         outSubstitutions.addSubstitutionSolved(eq[1], eq[0].notNode(), tin);
         return PP_ASSERT_STATUS_SOLVED;
diff --git a/src/theory/bv/theory_bv.cpp b/src/theory/bv/theory_bv.cpp
index e08c713a350..082b1af2133 100644
--- a/src/theory/bv/theory_bv.cpp
+++ b/src/theory/bv/theory_bv.cpp
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ Theory::PPAssertStatus TheoryBV::ppAssert(
 
         Node concat = utils::mkConcat(children);
         Assert(utils::getSize(concat) == utils::getSize(extract[0]));
-        if (isLegalElimination(extract[0], concat))
+        if (d_valuation.isLegalElimination(extract[0], concat))
         {
           outSubstitutions.addSubstitutionSolved(extract[0], concat, tin);
           return Theory::PP_ASSERT_STATUS_SOLVED;
diff --git a/src/theory/bv/theory_bv_rewriter.cpp b/src/theory/bv/theory_bv_rewriter.cpp
index e23b359c400..401ee09fb9b 100644
--- a/src/theory/bv/theory_bv_rewriter.cpp
+++ b/src/theory/bv/theory_bv_rewriter.cpp
@@ -101,10 +101,9 @@ Node TheoryBVRewriter::rewriteViaRule(ProofRewriteRule id, const Node& n)
   return Node::null();
 }
 
-TrustNode TheoryBVRewriter::expandDefinition(Node node)
+Node TheoryBVRewriter::expandDefinition(Node node)
 {
-  Node expanded = eliminateOverflows(node);
-  return TrustNode::mkTrustRewrite(node, expanded, nullptr);
+  return eliminateOverflows(node);
 }
 
 Node TheoryBVRewriter::eliminateOverflows(Node node)
diff --git a/src/theory/bv/theory_bv_rewriter.h b/src/theory/bv/theory_bv_rewriter.h
index cdc315c2f8e..8f1fe6fa35b 100644
--- a/src/theory/bv/theory_bv_rewriter.h
+++ b/src/theory/bv/theory_bv_rewriter.h
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ class TheoryBVRewriter : public TheoryRewriter
    * Override TheoryRewriter::expandDefinition in order to
    * eliminate overflow operators
    */
-  TrustNode expandDefinition(Node node) override;
+  Node expandDefinition(Node node) override;
 
   /**
    * This function is called when int-blasting is disabled.
diff --git a/src/theory/datatypes/datatypes_rewriter.cpp b/src/theory/datatypes/datatypes_rewriter.cpp
index 2c500b85a00..2674322a073 100644
--- a/src/theory/datatypes/datatypes_rewriter.cpp
+++ b/src/theory/datatypes/datatypes_rewriter.cpp
@@ -1014,7 +1014,7 @@ Node DatatypesRewriter::expandApplySelector(Node n, bool sharedSel)
   return utils::applySelector(c, selectorIndex, true, n[0]);
 }
 
-TrustNode DatatypesRewriter::expandDefinition(Node n)
+Node DatatypesRewriter::expandDefinition(Node n)
 {
   Node ret;
   switch (n.getKind())
@@ -1039,9 +1039,9 @@ TrustNode DatatypesRewriter::expandDefinition(Node n)
   }
   if (!ret.isNull() && n != ret)
   {
-    return TrustNode::mkTrustRewrite(n, ret, nullptr);
+    return ret;
   }
-  return TrustNode::null();
+  return Node::null();
 }
 
 Node DatatypesRewriter::expandUpdater(const Node& n)
diff --git a/src/theory/datatypes/datatypes_rewriter.h b/src/theory/datatypes/datatypes_rewriter.h
index 22dec0a291d..998f0ce8fe1 100644
--- a/src/theory/datatypes/datatypes_rewriter.h
+++ b/src/theory/datatypes/datatypes_rewriter.h
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ class DatatypesRewriter : public TheoryRewriter
    */
   static Node expandMatch(Node n);
   /** expand defintions */
-  TrustNode expandDefinition(Node n) override;
+  Node expandDefinition(Node n) override;
   /**
    * Expand a nullable lift term with an ite expression.
    * Example:
diff --git a/src/theory/datatypes/theory_datatypes.cpp b/src/theory/datatypes/theory_datatypes.cpp
index cd3b7ca242b..03480546d6b 100644
--- a/src/theory/datatypes/theory_datatypes.cpp
+++ b/src/theory/datatypes/theory_datatypes.cpp
@@ -377,10 +377,10 @@ TrustNode TheoryDatatypes::ppRewrite(TNode in, std::vector<SkolemLemma>& lems)
     return TrustNode::mkTrustRewrite(in, k);
   }
   // first, see if we need to expand definitions
-  TrustNode texp = d_rewriter.expandDefinition(in);
+  Node texp = d_rewriter.expandDefinition(in);
   if (!texp.isNull())
   {
-    return texp;
+    return TrustNode::mkTrustRewrite(in, texp);
   }
   // nothing to do
   return TrustNode::null();
diff --git a/src/theory/fp/fp_expand_defs.cpp b/src/theory/fp/fp_expand_defs.cpp
index 6d612df9c20..259b6440a7c 100644
--- a/src/theory/fp/fp_expand_defs.cpp
+++ b/src/theory/fp/fp_expand_defs.cpp
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ Node FpExpandDefs::toRealUF(TNode node)
       node[0]);
 }
 
-TrustNode FpExpandDefs::expandDefinition(Node node)
+Node FpExpandDefs::expandDefinition(Node node)
 {
   Trace("fp-expandDefinition")
       << "FpExpandDefs::expandDefinition(): " << node << std::endl;
@@ -120,9 +120,9 @@ TrustNode FpExpandDefs::expandDefinition(Node node)
   {
     Trace("fp-expandDefinition") << "FpExpandDefs::expandDefinition(): " << node
                                  << " rewritten to " << res << std::endl;
-    return TrustNode::mkTrustRewrite(node, res, nullptr);
+    return res;
   }
-  return TrustNode::null();
+  return Node::null();
 }
 
 }  // namespace fp
diff --git a/src/theory/fp/fp_expand_defs.h b/src/theory/fp/fp_expand_defs.h
index 3c457ab3b63..cc8ad53c5a9 100644
--- a/src/theory/fp/fp_expand_defs.h
+++ b/src/theory/fp/fp_expand_defs.h
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ class FpExpandDefs
  public:
   FpExpandDefs(NodeManager* nm) : d_nm(nm) {}
   /** expand definitions in node */
-  TrustNode expandDefinition(Node node);
+  Node expandDefinition(Node node);
 
  private:
   /**
diff --git a/src/theory/fp/theory_fp.cpp b/src/theory/fp/theory_fp.cpp
index 61dd361bb76..cb88abb0387 100644
--- a/src/theory/fp/theory_fp.cpp
+++ b/src/theory/fp/theory_fp.cpp
@@ -119,10 +119,10 @@ TrustNode TheoryFp::ppRewrite(TNode node, std::vector<SkolemLemma>& lems)
   Trace("fp-ppRewrite") << "TheoryFp::ppRewrite(): " << node << std::endl;
 
   // first, see if we need to expand definitions
-  TrustNode texp = d_rewriter.expandDefinition(node);
+  Node texp = d_rewriter.expandDefinition(node);
   if (!texp.isNull())
   {
-    return texp;
+    return TrustNode::mkTrustRewrite(node, texp, nullptr);
   }
 
   // The following kinds should have been removed by the
diff --git a/src/theory/fp/theory_fp_rewriter.cpp b/src/theory/fp/theory_fp_rewriter.cpp
index c45868c1914..903f5e9ecc6 100644
--- a/src/theory/fp/theory_fp_rewriter.cpp
+++ b/src/theory/fp/theory_fp_rewriter.cpp
@@ -1697,7 +1697,7 @@ RewriteResponse TheoryFpRewriter::postRewrite(TNode node)
 
   return res;
 }
-TrustNode TheoryFpRewriter::expandDefinition(Node node)
+Node TheoryFpRewriter::expandDefinition(Node node)
 {
   return d_fpExpDef.expandDefinition(node);
 }
diff --git a/src/theory/fp/theory_fp_rewriter.h b/src/theory/fp/theory_fp_rewriter.h
index 81f845e43e3..7092240e30d 100644
--- a/src/theory/fp/theory_fp_rewriter.h
+++ b/src/theory/fp/theory_fp_rewriter.h
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ class TheoryFpRewriter : public TheoryRewriter
     return postRewrite(equality).d_node;
   }
   /** Expand definitions in node */
-  TrustNode expandDefinition(Node node) override;
+  Node expandDefinition(Node node) override;
 
  protected:
   /** TODO: document (projects issue #265) */
diff --git a/src/theory/sets/theory_sets.cpp b/src/theory/sets/theory_sets.cpp
index 5f98860e93b..f2d6b5c96cd 100644
--- a/src/theory/sets/theory_sets.cpp
+++ b/src/theory/sets/theory_sets.cpp
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ Theory::PPAssertStatus TheorySets::ppAssert(
   // this is based off of Theory::ppAssert
   if (in.getKind() == Kind::EQUAL)
   {
-    if (in[0].isVar() && isLegalElimination(in[0], in[1]))
+    if (in[0].isVar() && d_valuation.isLegalElimination(in[0], in[1]))
     {
       // We cannot solve for sets if setsExp is enabled, since universe set
       // may appear when this option is enabled, and solving for such a set
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ Theory::PPAssertStatus TheorySets::ppAssert(
         status = Theory::PP_ASSERT_STATUS_SOLVED;
       }
     }
-    else if (in[1].isVar() && isLegalElimination(in[1], in[0]))
+    else if (in[1].isVar() && d_valuation.isLegalElimination(in[1], in[0]))
     {
       if (!in[0].getType().isSet() || !options().sets.setsExp)
       {
diff --git a/src/theory/theory.cpp b/src/theory/theory.cpp
index ecfb1d55e28..dea89fa8de1 100644
--- a/src/theory/theory.cpp
+++ b/src/theory/theory.cpp
@@ -298,11 +298,6 @@ void Theory::debugPrintFacts() const{
   printFacts(TraceChannel.getStream());
 }
 
-bool Theory::isLegalElimination(TNode x, TNode val)
-{
-  return d_valuation.isLegalElimination(x, val);
-}
-
 bool Theory::collectModelInfo(TheoryModel* m, const std::set<Node>& termSet)
 {
   // if we are using an equality engine, assert it to the model
@@ -406,12 +401,12 @@ Theory::PPAssertStatus Theory::ppAssert(TrustNode tin,
     // 1) x is a variable
     // 2) x is not in the term t
     // 3) x : T and t : S, then S <: T
-    if (in[0].isVar() && isLegalElimination(in[0], in[1]))
+    if (in[0].isVar() && d_valuation.isLegalElimination(in[0], in[1]))
     {
       outSubstitutions.addSubstitutionSolved(in[0], in[1], tin);
       return PP_ASSERT_STATUS_SOLVED;
     }
-    if (in[1].isVar() && isLegalElimination(in[1], in[0]))
+    if (in[1].isVar() && d_valuation.isLegalElimination(in[1], in[0]))
     {
       outSubstitutions.addSubstitutionSolved(in[1], in[0], tin);
       return PP_ASSERT_STATUS_SOLVED;
diff --git a/src/theory/theory.h b/src/theory/theory.h
index 42017e00b4f..4175225ea3c 100644
--- a/src/theory/theory.h
+++ b/src/theory/theory.h
@@ -202,23 +202,6 @@ class Theory : protected EnvObj
   void printFacts(std::ostream& os) const;
   void debugPrintFacts() const;
 
-  /** is legal elimination
-   *
-   * Returns true if x -> val is a legal elimination of variable x. This is
-   * useful for ppAssert, when x = val is an entailed equality. This function
-   * determines whether indeed x can be eliminated from the problem via the
-   * substitution x -> val.
-   *
-   * The following criteria imply that x -> val is *not* a legal elimination:
-   * (1) If x is contained in val,
-   * (2) If the type of val is not the same as the type of x,
-   * (3) If val contains an operator that cannot be evaluated, and
-   * produceModels is true. For example, x -> sqrt(2) is not a legal
-   * elimination if we are producing models. This is because we care about the
-   * value of x, and its value must be computed (approximated) by the
-   * non-linear solver.
-   */
-  bool isLegalElimination(TNode x, TNode val);
   //--------------------------------- private initialization
   /**
    * Called to set the official equality engine. This should be done by
diff --git a/src/theory/theory_rewriter.cpp b/src/theory/theory_rewriter.cpp
index 5c755b796f7..a4ef7dd7877 100644
--- a/src/theory/theory_rewriter.cpp
+++ b/src/theory/theory_rewriter.cpp
@@ -84,10 +84,10 @@ TrustNode TheoryRewriter::rewriteEqualityExtWithProof(Node node)
   return TrustNode::null();
 }
 
-TrustNode TheoryRewriter::expandDefinition(Node node)
+Node TheoryRewriter::expandDefinition(Node node)
 {
   // no expansion
-  return TrustNode::null();
+  return Node::null();
 }
 
 Node TheoryRewriter::rewriteViaRule(ProofRewriteRule pr, const Node& n)
diff --git a/src/theory/theory_rewriter.h b/src/theory/theory_rewriter.h
index 0b98258c1c4..d8d4a0d52f9 100644
--- a/src/theory/theory_rewriter.h
+++ b/src/theory/theory_rewriter.h
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ class TheoryRewriter
    * used when rewrites are not possible, for example in handling
    * under-specified operations using partially defined functions.
    */
-  virtual TrustNode expandDefinition(Node node);
+  virtual Node expandDefinition(Node node);
 
   /**
    * Rewrite n based on the proof rewrite rule id.