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Impeachment Process

Impeachment Process. General Information. A sitting President may be removed from office before his term expires only by impeachment process This process begins with the House of Representatives. Sufficient Evidence.

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Impeachment Process

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  1. ImpeachmentProcess

  2. General Information • A sitting President may be removed from office before his term expires only by impeachment process • This process begins with the House of Representatives

  3. Sufficient Evidence • If there is sufficient evidence, the House drafts a bill of impeachment, which must be approved by the majority of its membership • Then trial in the Senate follows

  4. Trial • In the trial, the Chief Justice of the U.S. acts as the judge and the Senators as the jury

  5. History • Only two American presidents have ever been impeached – Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton

  6. Impeachment of Bill Clinton • Impeached by the House of Representatives on December 19, 1998 • Acquitted by the Senate on February 12, 1999 • The charges were : perjury, obstruction of justice and abuse of power • Arose from the Monica Lewinsky scandal

  7. Investigation • Kenneth Starr investigated Clinton’s conduct during the sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former Arkansas government employee Paula Jones • Starr obtained taped telephone conversation in which Lewinsky, a former White House Intern, discussed having sex with Clinton • However, Clinton denied • Further evidence; by seizing computer hard drive and e-mail records of Lewinsky • Starr concluded that Clinton committed perjury

  8. The January 1998 Press Conference • After rumors of the scandal reached the news, Clinton publicly stated: “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky” • In his deposition he swore: “ I have never had an affair with her” • Months later, Clinton admitted that his relationship with Lewinsky was “wrong” and “not appropriate”

  9. To Convict or to Acquit • No Democratic Senators voting for conviction • Only 5 Democratic Representatives voting to impeach • The Senate acquitted Bill Clinton because it failed to reach the two thirds of votes needed to convict the President

  10. The Response of the Public • Polls conducted during 1998 and early 1999 showed that only one third of Americans supported Clinton’s impeachment or conviction • Later, when it was clear that House impeachment would not lead to ouster of the President, half of Americans said that they supported impeachment and 42% disapproved of the Senate’s decision to keep him in office

  11. Discussion • And what is your opinion?

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