The Constitution vests the power of impeachment exclusively in Congress: the House votes to impeach (charge) a federal officer, and the Senate holds the trial and votes on removal. A simple majority in the House is enough to impeach; conviction and removal requires a two-thirds supermajority in the Senate. "High crimes and misdemeanors" is not defined in the Constitution and has been interpreted broadly to include abuse of power, obstruction, and conduct unbecoming the office—not limited to indictable criminal offenses.
The House has impeached four presidents: Andrew Johnson (1868), Bill Clinton (1998), and Donald Trump (twice, in 2019 and 2021). None were convicted by the Senate. Impeachment has also been used against federal judges and cabinet officials, with several judges removed from office. The process is largely political in practice—a president can be impeached by the opposing party-controlled House even when conviction in the Senate is unlikely.
Impeachment does not strip a former official of civil or criminal liability. The Senate can separately vote to disqualify a convicted officer from holding future federal office—a power that can be exercised by simple majority after conviction. Courts have consistently declined to review congressional impeachment procedures, treating them as a nonjusticiable political question.
Impeachment is Congress's ultimate check on the executive and judiciary. It doesn't require a crime in the traditional sense—it requires political will. Understanding what "high crimes and misdemeanors" actually means, and how rarely the Senate convicts, helps citizens evaluate whether impeachment is a meaningful accountability tool or a partisan weapon.
Impeachment is not removal from office—it's the equivalent of an indictment. The House impeaches (charges), and the Senate convicts (or acquits). An impeached official remains in office until the Senate votes to convict and remove. All four impeached presidents were acquitted by the Senate and remained (or left office naturally).
Impeachment is Congress's ultimate check on the executive and judiciary. It doesn't require a crime in the traditional sense—it requires political will. Understanding what "high crimes and misdemeanors" actually means, and how rarely the Senate convicts, helps citizens evaluate whether impeachment is a meaningful accountability tool or a partisan weapon.
Impeachment is not removal from office—it's the equivalent of an indictment. The House impeaches (charges), and the Senate convicts (or acquits). An impeached official remains in office until the Senate votes to convict and remove. All four impeached presidents were acquitted by the Senate and remained (or left office naturally).