Warm Up:
What is impeachment?
Impeachment Power
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Congress has power to impeach federal
officials of serious crimes
Impeach- to formally accuse an office
holder of misconduct
Congress may remove these officials if
found guilty of serious crimes or treason
Treason-an act that betrays or endangers
one country
Impeachment Power
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Charges must be made in House of
Representatives
Majority vote is required for
impeachment
If impeached, accused will be formally
put on trial
Impeachment Power
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Trial on impeachment charges is held in the Senate
Senate becomes the jury
VP is judge
unless President is charged, then it is the Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court
The penalty for conviction is removal
from office.
2/3 of Senate must find official guilty before they
can be dismissed from office.
Impeachment
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President Andrew Johnson was first
president to be impeached in 1868
Found not guilty by Senate by 1 vote
Nixon 1974
The Watergate Affair
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What crime is that the heart of
the scandal?
Nixon tried to cover up the fact that he
ordered the 1972 Watergate break-in.
The actual crime is called "obstruction
of justice”
Nixon 1974
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How is the President involved?
The president ordered the break-in and then
used the powers of his office to cover up
the conspiracy. The President claimed
"executive privilege" in that he refused to
release information on the cover-up to
Congress.
Nixon 1974
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How was Congress involved?
The House of Representatives had begun
impeachment hearings to determine if a
vote by the full house was in order. Once
the hearings had begun, Nixon resigned
his office, the first president ever to do so.
Warm Up:
What happens to a president if
they are impeached?
Clinton 1998
The Lewinsky Scandal
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What crime is that the heart of
the scandal?
Clinton was accused of lying under
oath during a lawsuit, which is perjury.
He may also have been guilty of
obstruction of justice
Clinton 1998
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How is the President involved?
The President was involved in a civil lawsuit
involving sexual harassment. During the
deposition, he gave false and misleading
responses to the questions put to him by
the special prosecutor.
Clinton 1998
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How was Congress involved?
The House of Representatives brought
articles of impeachment against President
Clinton after the House Judiciary Committee
found that there was enough evidence to
impeach the president.
The Senate found the President not guilty,
lacking the needed two thirds vote to
convict and remove from office
How many Presidents
have been impeached?
How many presidents
have been removed from
office?
Pg 314 #1-4