How many presidents have been impeached?
Three
How many presidents have been removed following impeachment?
Zero
What happened to Richard Nixon?
He resigned prior to being impeached.
Which presidents were impeached?
Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump (twice)
Define impeachment.
Bringing charges against a public official.
What is the first step in the impeachment process?
The House votes to impeach by simple majority.
What is the second step in the impeachment process?
The Senate holds a trial and votes to remove by 2/3 majority.
Who can be impeached?
President, Vice President, members of the President’s cabinet and federal judges.
What can one be impeached for?
Treason, bribery and other high crimes and misdemeanors.
How is the impeachment process an example of checks and balances?
The legislative branch is checking either the executive or judicial branches.
Who normally presides over impeachment trials?
President of the Senate (Vice President)
Who presides over impeachment trials of the President?
Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
What was Bill Clinton impeached for?
perjury (lying under oath) and obstruction of justice
What was the Watergate scandal?
The reason why Richard Nixon would have been impeached and probably removed.
What are the punishments for being found guilty?
removal from office and the possibility of being barred from holding another federal office
number of votes needed in the U.S. House to impeach
simple majority - one more than half (218 if all are present)
fraction needed to be found guilty in the U.S. Senate
2/3 (67 if all are present)
Checks and Balances: impeachment of the president
legislative checking executive
Checks and balances: impeachment of a federal judge
legislative checking judicial
Checks and balances: impeachment of the Vice President or a cabinet member
legislative checking executive
What was Donald Trump impeached for the second time?
inciting a riot at the U.S. Capitol building
Checks and Balances: when the Vice President presides over the impeachment trial of a federal judge
executive checking judicial and legislative
Checks and Balances: when the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides over the impeachment trial of the President
judicial checking executive and legislative
indict
charge with a crime (impeach)
