Impeachment is a formal mechanism defined under Article II, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution, enabling Congress to charge high-ranking civil officers, including the President, with acts of “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” This structured provision serves as an essential check on the executive and judicial branches regarding legal violations and abuses of power.
Once the House of Representatives impeach an official, they undergo a trial. Upon conviction by the Senate, the official is then removed from office.
Key Takeaways
- Impeachment is a formal process outlined in Article II, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution, facilitating Congress to charge high-ranking civil officers for specific crimes and subsequently seek their removal.
- Only the House of Representatives wields the power to impeach a federal official, while conviction and removal rights lie solely with the Senate.
- Of the numerous U.S. Presidents, only Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump, have faced impeachment by the House but were acquitted by the Senate.
How Impeachment Works
As per Article II, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution:
“The President, Vice President and all Civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”
Impeachment should not be confused with removal or conviction. Think of impeachment as a formal charging process, akin to indictments in criminal proceedings.
Although impeachment at the federal level is rare and removal even less frequent, the House of Representatives has initiated over 60 impeachments since the U.S. Constitution was adopted. Only 20 concluded with an impeachment, and just eight federal judges faced Senate convictions.
Officials Subject to Impeachment
The U.S. Constitution explicitly states that the President and Vice President can be impeached, but it is broad enough to also encompass federal officers.
Related Terms: Article II, Section 4, Tre3quarterjon, Bribery, High Crimes and Misdemeanors.
References
- Constitution Annotated. “U.S. Constitution - Article II Section 4”.
- Constitution Annotated. “ArtII.S4.1.1 Impeachment and Removal from Office: Overview”.
- Constitution Annotated. “ArtI.S2.C5.1.1 The Power of Impeachment: Overview”.
- History, Art & Archives. “List of Individuals Impeached by the House of Representatives”.
- History, Art & Archives. “Impeachment”.
- Library of Congress. “Federalist No. 79”.
- Library of Congress. “Federalist No. 66”.
- Govinfo. “House Practice: A Guide to the Rules, Precedents and Procedures of the House”.
- Govinfo.gov. “Congressional Bills 113th Congress”.
- United States Senate. “About Impeachment”.
- U.S. Congress. “ArtI.S3.C6.1.1 The Power to Try Impeachments: Overview”.
- United States Senate. “About Impeachment”.
- History, Art & Archives. “List of Individuals Impeached by the House of Representatives”.
- Constitution Annotated. “ArtII.S4.2.3.5 Impeachable Offenses: Effort to Impeach Richard Nixon”.
- The White House. “Richard M. Nixon”.
- Congress.gov. “Articles of Impeachment Against Donald John Trump”.
- Congress.gov. “All Actions H.Res.755 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)”.
- Congress.gov. “All Actions H.Res.755 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)”.
