To impeach a president means to formally charge the president with misconduct while in office. It is a constitutional process in which the House of Representatives brings charges, known as articles of impeachment, by a simple majority vote. This is analogous to an indictment in criminal law. The charges typically involve "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors," though the Constitution does not precisely define these terms, leaving it to Congress to interpret
. Once impeached by the House, the process moves to the Senate, which holds a trial presided over by the Chief Justice of the United States if the president is the one impeached. The Senate acts as the jury and must reach a two-thirds majority vote to convict. Conviction results in the president's removal from office and may also include disqualification from holding future federal office. Removal from office is the primary penalty; criminal charges or other punishments are handled separately by the courts
. In summary:
- Impeachment is the formal accusation of wrongdoing by the House of Representatives.
- Trial and conviction occur in the Senate, requiring a two-thirds vote.
- Outcome upon conviction is removal from office and possible disqualification from future office.
- The process is a political and constitutional mechanism designed to maintain government accountability, not a criminal punishment
There is no appeal after conviction, and if removed, the vice president assumes the presidency
