Impeachment

Definition

Impeachment is a constitutional process by which a sitting president, federal official, or judge can be removed from office for committing 'high crimes and misdemeanors.' This mechanism serves as a critical check on the power of the executive and judicial branches, ensuring accountability and integrity in government. The impeachment process involves the House of Representatives bringing charges against the official, followed by a trial in the Senate to determine whether to convict and remove the official from office.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Impeachment is initiated by the House of Representatives, which has the sole power to impeach federal officials.
2. A simple majority vote in the House is required to impeach an official, while a two-thirds majority in the Senate is needed for conviction.
3. Impeachment does not automatically lead to removal; it is merely the first step in a two-part process.
4. The Constitution outlines specific grounds for impeachment, including treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
5. Notable impeachments in U.S. history include Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump, though none were removed from office through this process.

Review Questions

• How does the impeachment process serve as a check on presidential power?
  • The impeachment process acts as a crucial check on presidential power by allowing Congress to hold the president accountable for misconduct. When allegations of 'high crimes and misdemeanors' arise, the House can initiate impeachment proceedings. If successful, this leads to a trial in the Senate, where senators act as jurors. This ensures that if a president abuses their authority or violates the law, they can be removed from office by elected representatives.
• What are the roles of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the impeachment process?
  • In the impeachment process, the House of Representatives has the responsibility to investigate allegations and bring formal charges against an official through articles of impeachment. A simple majority vote is necessary for these articles to pass. Conversely, once an official is impeached, the Senate takes on the role of conducting a trial where evidence is presented and witnesses may be called. The Senate then votes on whether to convict and remove the official, requiring a two-thirds majority for such action.
• Evaluate the implications of impeachment on American political dynamics and public trust in government.
  • Impeachment has significant implications for American political dynamics as it often polarizes public opinion and can lead to heightened partisanship. The process can serve as both a tool for accountability and a means of political weaponization. When an official is impeached, it raises questions about governance and integrity, impacting public trust in government institutions. If handled poorly or perceived as politically motivated, impeachment can diminish confidence in elected officials and create lasting divisions among citizens regarding their leaders' legitimacy.

Related terms

Censure: A formal reprimand or expression of disapproval that does not remove an official from office but serves as a warning about their conduct.

Trial: The legal proceedings conducted in the Senate after impeachment charges are brought, where evidence is presented and a decision is made on whether to convict the official.

Checks and Balances: A system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.