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On Impeachment: The Presidency on Trial

Chadwick Powell

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A Gavel Resting On A Copy Of The United States Constitution On Impeachment: The Presidency On Trial (Penguin Liberty 1)

On Impeachment: The Presidency on Trial (Penguin Liberty Book 1)

by Corey Brettschneider

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Impeachment is a serious matter. It is the process by which the United States Congress can remove a president from office. The Constitution provides for impeachment only for "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors." Impeachment is a political process, not a criminal one. The House of Representatives has the sole power to impeach a president, and the Senate has the sole power to try all impeachments. If the Senate convicts the president by a two-thirds vote, the president is removed from office.

The History of Impeachment

The impeachment process was first established in the United States Constitution in 1787. The framers of the Constitution were concerned about the possibility of a president abusing his power. They wanted to create a mechanism to remove a president from office if he or she committed serious crimes.

The first president to be impeached was Andrew Johnson in 1868. Johnson was impeached by the House of Representatives for "high crimes and misdemeanors." The charges against Johnson stemmed from his attempts to remove Secretary of War Edwin Stanton from office. The Senate ultimately acquitted Johnson by a single vote.

The second president to be impeached was Bill Clinton in 1998. Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives for perjury and obstruction of justice. The charges against Clinton stemmed from a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him by Paula Jones. The Senate ultimately acquitted Clinton on both charges.

The Impeachment Process

The impeachment process begins in the House of Representatives. The House Judiciary Committee investigates allegations of impeachable offenses and determines whether to recommend impeachment to the full House. If the Judiciary Committee recommends impeachment, the full House votes on whether to impeach the president. A simple majority vote is required to impeach the president.

If the president is impeached by the House, the Senate then holds a trial to determine whether to convict the president and remove him or her from office. The Senate trial is presided over by the Chief Justice of the United States. A two-thirds vote is required to convict the president and remove him or her from office.

The Political Consequences of Impeachment

Impeachment is a highly political process. The decision to impeach a president is often made on partisan lines. The impeachment of Bill Clinton, for example, was largely driven by partisan politics. The Republicans controlled the House of Representatives at the time and voted to impeach Clinton along party lines. The Democrats, who controlled the Senate, voted to acquit Clinton along party lines.

Impeachment can have a significant impact on a president's legacy. A president who is impeached but not convicted may still be able to serve out his or her term, but the impeachment process can damage the president's reputation and make it difficult to govern effectively. A president who is convicted and removed from office will have his or her legacy forever tarnished.

Impeachment is a powerful tool that can be used to remove a president from office. However, impeachment is a serious matter and should only be used in cases of the most serious misconduct. The impeachment process is a political one, and the decision to impeach a president is often made on partisan lines. Impeachment can have a significant impact on a president's legacy, and a president who is impeached but not convicted may still be able to serve out his or her term, but the impeachment process can damage the president's reputation and make it difficult to govern effectively.

On Impeachment: The Presidency on Trial (Penguin Liberty Book 1)

by Corey Brettschneider

5 out of 5