The History of Impeachment in the U.S.

Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution of the United States says, “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.”

To impeach the President of the United States, the House of Representatives must first pass “articles of impeachment.” To do so, a simple majority must be reached. The passage of these articles indicates the “impeachment” of the President.


In Article 1, Section 3 of the United States Constitution, it is stated that, “The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present…Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States: but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according to law.”

Once the President has been impeached by the House of Representatives, the Senate holds trial proceedings, over which the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides. A two-thirds majority vote in the Senate is required for conviction. If the President is convicted, they are immediately removed from office and relieved of all duties and responsibilities. Although the Senate only has the power to remove the President from office, once removed from office, the President is still liable to criminal prosecution. If, however, the Senate acquits the President, the President receives no punishment.

In the history of the United States, only two Presidents have been impeached:

Andrew Johnson (the 17th President), impeached in 1868
Bill Clinton (the 42nd President), impeached in 1998

Both were acquitted by the Senate.


Many believe Richard Nixon (the 37th President) was impeached, but on the contrary, Nixon resigned shortly before the House of Representatives convened to pass articles of impeachment. His vice president, Spiro Agnew asked the House to impeach him so that he could be acquitted by the Senate and escape indictment and criminal charges of tax evasion. However, the Speaker of the House refused and Agnew resigned under a plea deal.