What is impeachment--

Copilot Search Branding

Impeachment in the United States

Impeachment is a formal process by which a legislative body brings charges against a public official for serious misconduct, with the goal of removing them from office WikipediaWikipedia+1. In the U.S., it is a remedial, not punitive, measure — the only penalties are removal from office and, in some cases, disqualification from holding future federal office WikipediaWikipedia+1.

Constitutional Basis

The U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 2, Clause 5) grants the House of Representatives the sole power to impeach, and the Senate the sole power to try impeachments WikipediaWikipedia. Impeachable offenses are defined as “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors” BritannicaBritannica. Conviction in the Senate requires a two‑thirds majority vote for removal WikipediaWikipedia+1.

Federal Impeachment Process

Investigation & Articles of Impeachment – The House Judiciary Committee investigates and drafts articles (charges) against the official.

House Vote – The full House votes on the articles; a simple majority is enough to impeach USA GovUSA Gov.

Senate Trial – The Senate holds the trial, with the Chief Justice of the U.S. presiding if the official is the President or Vice President USA GovUSA Gov.

Conviction & Removal – Conviction removes the official from office; a simple majority vote in the Senate can bar them from future federal office WikipediaWikipedia+1.

Acquittal – If acquitted, the official remains in office.

Who Can Be Impeached

Federal impeachment applies to the President, Vice President, and all civil officers BritannicaBritannica. State and local governments may also have impeachment procedures for their officials WikipediaWikipedia+1. Historical Context

First U.S. presidential impeachment trial: Andrew Johnson in 1868 WikipediaWikipedia.

Presidents impeached: Andrew Johnson (1868), Bill Clinton (1998), Donald Trump (2019 and 2021) USA GovUSA Gov+1.

Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 before the House could vote on articles USA GovUSA Gov.

Of all impeachments, only eight officials have been removed from office — all were federal judges USA GovUSA Gov.

Key Points

Impeachment is not a criminal trial; the official can still face criminal charges after removal WikipediaWikipedia.

It is reserved for serious abuses of office and requires supermajority thresholds WikipediaWikipedia. The process is political and nonjusticiable — courts cannot review the validity of an impeachment trial WikipediaWikipedia. In short, impeachment is a constitutional safeguard to hold high‑office holders accountable for misconduct, with removal as the only guaranteed consequence WikipediaWikipedia+1.