Impeachment

Definition

Impeachment is the constitutional process by which a sitting president, vice president, or other federal officials can be charged with misconduct, leading to their potential removal from office. This process serves as a crucial check on executive power and ensures accountability for those in high positions. It highlights the system of checks and balances that exists between the legislative and executive branches of government, where Congress holds the authority to initiate impeachment proceedings.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Impeachment is initiated in the House of Representatives, where articles of impeachment are drafted and voted upon.
2. If the House approves the articles, the process moves to the Senate for a trial, where senators act as jurors.
3. A two-thirds majority vote in the Senate is required for conviction and removal from office, making it a difficult threshold to reach.
4. Only three U.S. presidents have been impeached: Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump; none were removed from office.
5. Impeachment does not require a criminal charge; it focuses on misconduct that undermines the integrity of the office.

Review Questions

• How does impeachment serve as a check on presidential power?
  • Impeachment serves as a check on presidential power by allowing Congress to hold the president accountable for misconduct that may threaten the integrity of the office. The House of Representatives has the authority to initiate impeachment proceedings by drafting articles of impeachment, which must reflect serious breaches of trust or abuse of power. This process ensures that no president is above the law and promotes accountability within the executive branch.
• Discuss the roles of both the House and Senate in the impeachment process.
  • In the impeachment process, the House of Representatives is responsible for initiating proceedings by drafting articles of impeachment and voting on them. If a simple majority approves these articles, they are sent to the Senate. The Senate then conducts a trial where senators evaluate evidence and hear testimonies; their role is to determine whether to convict or acquit the impeached official. A two-thirds majority vote in the Senate is required for conviction, making each chamber's role critical in upholding checks and balances.
• Evaluate the implications of impeachment on American governance and political culture.
  • Impeachment has significant implications for American governance and political culture as it reflects the balance of power among branches of government while emphasizing accountability. It raises questions about partisanship in high-stakes political processes since voting patterns often align with party lines rather than objective assessments of conduct. Additionally, high-profile impeachment cases can impact public perception of government legitimacy and authority. The rarity of successful removals underscores both the seriousness of charges needed for impeachment and highlights how it can shape political discourse in American society.

Related terms

Articles of Impeachment: Formal charges brought against an official, outlining the specific offenses they are accused of committing, which must be approved by a majority vote in the House of Representatives.

Senate Trial: The process following impeachment by the House, where the Senate conducts a trial to determine whether to convict and remove the official from office, requiring a two-thirds majority vote for conviction.

High Crimes and Misdemeanors: The standard for impeachment outlined in the Constitution, referring to serious breaches of trust or abuse of power, which can include both criminal acts and other forms of misconduct.