Impeachment Proceedings

Definition

Impeachment proceedings are a formal process through which the legislative branch can remove a sitting president or other federal officials from office for misconduct. This process typically involves an investigation, drafting of articles of impeachment, and a trial in the Senate, ultimately determining whether the official should be removed from their position based on the established grounds for impeachment, such as treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The impeachment process begins in the House of Representatives, where articles of impeachment are introduced and debated.
2. If the House votes to approve articles of impeachment by a simple majority, the case is then sent to the Senate for trial.
3. During the Senate trial, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides if the president is being impeached.
4. A two-thirds majority vote in the Senate is required for conviction and removal from office; otherwise, the official remains in position.
5. Impeachment does not remove an official from office automatically; it only leads to a trial where removal is decided.

Review Questions

• Explain how impeachment proceedings begin and what role the House of Representatives plays in this process.
  • Impeachment proceedings begin in the House of Representatives, where members introduce articles of impeachment. The House conducts investigations and debates these articles to determine if there is sufficient evidence to move forward. If a simple majority of the House votes in favor of any articles, they are officially impeached, and the case is forwarded to the Senate for trial.
• Discuss the significance of a Senate trial in impeachment proceedings and how it affects the outcome for the impeached official.
  • The Senate trial is crucial in impeachment proceedings because it serves as the forum where evidence is presented, witnesses may be called, and arguments are made for both conviction and acquittal. Senators act as jurors and must weigh the evidence presented against the articles of impeachment. The outcome hinges on whether two-thirds of senators vote to convict; if they do, it results in removal from office, while an acquittal allows the official to retain their position.
• Evaluate historical examples of impeachment proceedings and their impact on public trust in government institutions.
  • Historical examples like Andrew Johnson's and Bill Clinton's impeachments reveal how such proceedings can polarize public opinion and affect trust in government. Each case showcased deep divisions within Congress and among citizens regarding accountability and power dynamics. The outcomes often lead to debates about presidential authority and set precedents that influence how future impeachments might unfold, thereby shaping perceptions of legitimacy within governmental institutions.

Related terms

Articles of Impeachment: Formal charges drafted by the House of Representatives that outline the specific allegations against the official being impeached.

Senate Trial: The trial held in the Senate where senators act as jurors to determine whether to convict or acquit the impeached official based on the evidence presented.

Conviction:

The result of a Senate trial where a two-thirds majority vote is required to remove an official from office following impeachment.