Impeachment

Definition

Impeachment is the process by which a legislative body (usually a parliament or congress) brings charges against a civil officer of government for crimes committed while in office. It represents the first step in removing an individual from their position through a formal trial and conviction.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Impeachment is a political process, not a criminal one, and is intended to remove officials who have abused the public trust.
2. The U.S. Constitution grants the House of Representatives the sole power of impeachment, while the Senate holds the power to conduct the trial and determine the outcome.
3. Impeachment does not automatically result in removal from office; a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate is required to convict and remove the official.
4. Impeachment proceedings have been used against several U.S. presidents, including Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump.
5. The Watergate scandal in the 1970s led to the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, although he resigned before the process was completed.

Review Questions

• Explain how the process of impeachment is used to hold government officials accountable in the United States.
  • Impeachment is a crucial mechanism in the American system of checks and balances, allowing the legislative branch to investigate and potentially remove the executive branch from power. It serves as a safeguard against abuse of power, corruption, and actions that undermine the public trust by civil officers. The House of Representatives has the sole power to bring impeachment charges, while the Senate conducts a trial to determine if the official should be convicted and removed from office. This process is intended to ensure that those in positions of power are held responsible for their actions and that the integrity of the government is maintained.
• Analyze the role of impeachment in the Watergate scandal and its impact on the presidency of Richard Nixon.
  • The Watergate scandal in the 1970s was a pivotal moment in American history that ultimately led to the impeachment process against President Richard Nixon. The revelations of Nixon's involvement in the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and his subsequent efforts to cover up the scandal led to a congressional investigation. As the evidence of Nixon's wrongdoing mounted, the House of Representatives began impeachment proceedings, charging him with abuse of power, obstruction of justice, and contempt of Congress. Although Nixon resigned before the impeachment trial could be completed, the process demonstrated the strength of the system of checks and balances and the willingness of the legislative branch to hold the executive branch accountable for its actions. The Watergate scandal and Nixon's resignation had a lasting impact on the public's trust in government and the presidency.
• Evaluate the role of impeachment during the Radical Reconstruction period following the American Civil War and its significance in the broader context of post-war political and social upheaval.
  • Impeachment played a crucial role in the Radical Reconstruction period following the American Civil War, as the Republican-controlled Congress sought to limit the power of the presidency and hold President Andrew Johnson accountable for his actions. Johnson, who had succeeded the assassinated Abraham Lincoln, was seen by many as undermining the Reconstruction efforts and the rights of freed slaves. The House of Representatives voted to impeach Johnson in 1868, charging him with violating the Tenure of Office Act by removing the Secretary of War without congressional approval. The subsequent impeachment trial in the Senate, while ultimately resulting in Johnson's acquittal, highlighted the ongoing power struggle between the legislative and executive branches during a tumultuous period of post-war rebuilding and social change. The impeachment process during Radical Reconstruction exemplified the use of this constitutional mechanism to address perceived abuses of power and maintain the balance of power within the government, even in the face of significant political and social upheaval.

Related terms

High Crimes and Misdemeanors: The constitutional standard for impeachable offenses, which includes abuse of power, corruption, and actions that undermine the public trust.

Articles of Impeachment: The formal charges or allegations brought against an official by the legislative body, outlining the specific grounds for impeachment.

Impeachment Trial: The judicial proceeding conducted by the legislative body, typically the Senate, to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused official and whether they should be removed from office.