This archive report was first published on 4 December 2019.
Impeachment is a process that has been a part of American politics for centuries, but it remains shrouded in mystery. The process is technically only the initial stage, and it does not necessarily mean removal from office. In fact, impeachment by itself does not mean removal from office; it is only the indictment that sets up a trial.
According to the Constitution, impeachment is the responsibility of the House of Representatives, while the Senate is responsible for the trial. However, the Constitution does not provide a guidebook for how an impeachment inquiry should start, leaving it to the discretion of the House.
Historically, impeachment inquiries have been marked by drama and unpredictability. In the case of President Andrew Johnson, the House voted to impeach him without even drafting the articles of impeachment. In contrast, the impeachment inquiry into President Richard Nixon was marked by extensive investigations and public hearings that lasted for two years.
For President Bill Clinton, the impeachment inquiry was a long and grueling process that began with an independent counsel's investigation into his business dealings. The investigation unexpectedly turned into a public inquiry about his personal life, leading to public hearings in the House Judiciary Committee.
Public opinion played a significant role in the impeachment process, with the media playing a huge part in shaping public opinion. The House brought formal impeachment charges against Clinton, which was followed by a tense and dramatic trial in the Senate.
Despite the drama and unpredictability of the impeachment process, it has never resulted in the removal of a president from office. In fact, an impeachment charge has never gotten the two-thirds majority it needs in the Senate to actually oust a president from office.
