Unit 7 Part 3 Impeachment

Impeachment Besides death, disability or resignation the only way the President leaves the office is impeachment. Impeachment – gathering evidence and holding a trial to determine guilt of wrong doing. - “They are going through impeachment”; “They went through the impeachment process” THIS DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY!!!!

Impeachment Article 1, Sections 2 and 3; Article II, Section 4; and Article III, Section 1- Impeachment in the Constitution “The President, Vice President and all Civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”

Impeachment It is similar to a criminal trial: The House of Representatives brings the formal charges/ accusations against the president. The Senate Holds the trial and makes the judgment. To be removed from office, must be convicted by a two-thirds vote of the Senate, which sits as a court, presided over by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. 16 people have been impeached by the house and seven convicted by Senate.

Impeachment Only two presidents have been impeached: Andrew Johnson in 1868 Bill Clinton in 1998 Resigned before Impeachment process: Richard Nixon, in 1974, would have surely been impeached had he not resigned.

Presidential Impeachments Andrew Johnson 1868 Not Guilty Bill Clinton 1998 Not Guilty Richard Nixon 1974 – Resigned before impeachment could begin

Impeachment of Andrew Johnson The case against Johnson was entirely political, Radical Republicans wished to punish the South after the Civil War. They were angry at Johnson, a southerner, who had soft policies toward the South.

Johnson Vote House 126 Conviction 47 Nay Senate 35 Conviction 19 Acquittal Note: At this time it took 36 out of 54 Senate votes to reach the 2/3 majority.

The Impeachment of Bill Clinton He was charged with perjury (lying under oath), obstruction of justice, and abuse of power. The vote was passed by the House along Party lines A majority, but not two-thirds, of the Senate voted to convict. Why did he survive? He was likable, economy was strong, nation was at peace, he was a centrist.

Clinton Vote House Judiciary Committee Charge Yes by Party No by Party Perjury 21 Republicans 16 Democrats Obstruction of Justice Article II 20 Republicans 17 Democrats ; 1 Republican Article IV

Clinton Vote House of Representatives Charge and Vote Yes by Party No by Party Not Voting Perjury 228-206 223 Rep; 5 Dem 5 Rep; 200 Dems; 1 Ind 1 Dem Obstruction of Justice 221-212 216 Rep; 5 Dem 12 Rep; 199 Dem; 1 Ind 2 Dem Article II 205-229 200 Rep; 5 Dem 28 Rep; 200 Dem; 1 Ind Article IV 148-285 147 Rep; 1 Dem 81 Rep; 203 Dem; 1 Ind

Clinton Vote Senate Charge and Vote Yes by Party No by Party Perjury 45-55 45 Rep 45 Dem; 10 Rep Obstruction of Justice 50-50 50 Rep 45 Dem; 5 Rep

Richard M. Nixon 37th President of the United States Republican Watergate and Tapes Executive privilege and US vs. Nixon Impeachment Only House Judiciary 3 Articles Obstruction of Justice Abuse of Power Defiance of Subpoenas Resignation

Richard Nixon

Richard Nixon

Richard Nixon

Bill Clinton

Bill Clinton

Bill Clinton