key term - Impeachment

Definition

Impeachment is the process by which a legislative body, such as Congress, brings charges against a public official, including the President, for misconduct while in office. This process serves as a crucial check on the powers of the executive branch and ensures accountability among government officials. If the official is impeached, they may be removed from office if convicted in a subsequent trial.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The impeachment process begins in the House of Representatives, where a simple majority is needed to approve articles of impeachment.
2. The Senate conducts the trial for impeachment, requiring a two-thirds majority vote to convict and remove an official from office.
3. Impeachment does not necessarily lead to removal; officials can be impeached but remain in office if not convicted by the Senate.
4. Only three U.S. Presidents have been impeached: Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump.
5. The Constitution outlines that officials can be impeached for 'high Crimes and Misdemeanors,' though this phrase is somewhat vague and open to interpretation.

Review Questions

• How does the impeachment process exemplify the principles of checks and balances in American government?
  • The impeachment process demonstrates checks and balances by allowing Congress to hold the executive branch accountable for misconduct. When an official, like the President, is believed to have violated their duties, the House of Representatives has the power to impeach them. This action requires cooperation from both houses of Congress—where one initiates impeachment and the other conducts the trial—ensuring that no single branch can dominate or misuse power without oversight.
• What are the specific steps involved in the impeachment process, and how do these steps ensure fair representation for the official being impeached?
  • The impeachment process involves several key steps: first, an investigation is conducted, often by committees in the House; next, articles of impeachment are drafted and voted on by the full House; if passed, the articles are sent to the Senate for trial. Throughout this process, the official being impeached has opportunities for representation and defense during hearings and trials. This structure is designed to ensure that any action taken against an official is justified and transparent.
• Evaluate the implications of impeachment on public trust in government institutions and how this process might affect future governance.
  • Impeachment can have significant implications for public trust in government institutions. When officials are impeached, it often highlights deep political divisions and may lead to increased skepticism about government integrity. Additionally, frequent or partisan impeachments could undermine confidence in political processes and discourage effective governance. The way impeachment is handled can set precedents that influence how future administrations interact with Congress and how accountability is maintained within government.

Related terms

Removal: The act of dismissing an official from their position following an impeachment trial and conviction.

Articles of Impeachment: Formal charges brought against an official being impeached, outlining the reasons for the impeachment.

Senate Trial: The stage of the impeachment process where the Senate conducts a trial to determine whether the impeached official should be removed from office.