I'm really confused. My friend told me that it meant that the president is being "fired" or something like that, but I know that Clinton was supposedly impeached. Wasn't he? I don't think that most people actually know the real defintion. Will someone please explain this to me?
2007-05-13 16:44:13 · 15 answers · asked by Shakespeare Chick 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
Here's a post, and it would make more sense than my definition.
THANK YOU for trying to find out the facts. You're right. A lot of people are saying "impeach Bush" without having a clue what it really means.
You deserve an "a" in Modern American History.
2007-05-13 16:51:04 · answer #1 · answered by mdk 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
An impeachment is similar to what happens in a regular court when a suspect is brought before a court charged with a crime.
In th ecase o fthe president and some other officials, Congress has the power to do this--to bring the particular official up on charges. Under the Constitution, this is done by the House of representatives--who can draw up and pas "articles of impeachment." If that happens, the matter then goes to the Senate. In the Senate, they can call witnesses, examine evidence, etc. But--this is where a lot of people get confused. An impeachment does not mean n official necessarily will be removed from office.
For that to happen, the Senate must have a 2/3 majority to convict. If that happens, the official is removed from office and can face further punishment (that, incidentally, has never happened to a president--though it almost certainly would have in Nixon's case hadhe not resigned).
If the Senate fails to convict, its just the same as when a jury finds a defendant in a regular trial "not guilty--" the "case" is over and that's the end of the matter.
BTW--Two presidents (Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, have been impeached--but neither was convicted).
2007-05-14 00:05:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Impeachment is a process to remove a government leader from office. In the case of the president, there are two steps to remove the president.
1st. The House votes whether to impeach the president. If the majority vote yes, then the process goes to the senate.
2nd. The senate tries the president. If 2/3 of the senate vote to impeach the president, then he is removed from office.
In the case of Clinton there were not enough votes in the Senate to impeach him. So he got off. Clinton's problems came when under oath that he did not have sex with Monica L. Later it was found that he did. So then Clinton claimed that BJs are not sex. :) So he got off on a technicality for perjury but they convicted him of obstruction of justice. Because of Clinton, the defintion of sex has changed. :)
2007-05-13 23:57:35 · answer #3 · answered by Felix 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
An impeachment is just an accusiation, or to point the finger and go AH HA!!!! There is a trail by the Senate and headed by the Chief justice of the Supreme court to see if any criminal wrong doing was done. If there was the president is removed from power, if not like in the case of Clinton, he remains president.
2007-05-14 00:30:28 · answer #4 · answered by emt_dragon339 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a sitting president has immunity from all laws civil and criminal. this protection was given to keep him from being hauled into court every day for all sorts of lawsuits, etc. he could not do his job without this protection.
if there is evidence that a president has commited a high crime or misdemeanor, congress can remove his protection . this is the impeachment process. it allows the investigation to proceed. the House votes to impeach(remove the protection), then the Senate hears the evidence and votes guilty or not guilty.
impeachment can, but not always, lead to removal from office.
2007-05-14 00:06:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Getting rid of a president guilty of crimes is a two step process. First the House of Representatives votes for "impeachment" then the Senate has a trial where the president is found Innocent or guilty. If guilty he is kicked out of office.
2007-05-13 23:48:45 · answer #6 · answered by Michael da Man 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An Impeachment of a President is like an Inquiry for the rest of us. He is ordered to be sworn in and answer questions before a legal assembly.
2007-05-13 23:52:56 · answer #7 · answered by perudonations 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Impeach means to accuse. If the accusations are successful, then the target official is convicted.
As far as US Presidents go:
Clinton was impeached but he was acquitted in the Senate.
Nixon was never impeached; he resigned before he could be.
Andrew Johnson was impeached but but was acquitted in the senate.
2007-05-13 23:52:09 · answer #8 · answered by Thufir 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your friend was right. Basically it is when the President in fired. Clinton was not actually impeached, but they did attempt to impeach him. There is a process and then Congress has to vote. In Clintons case, they went through the process and the investigation, but the vote did not make it. Nixon was the only president successfully impeached, I do believe.
2007-05-13 23:56:44 · answer #9 · answered by keepthehope4 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Impeachment is not the same as removal from office. Impeachment is basically the same as a censure - or "slap on the wrist"
2007-05-13 23:47:46 · answer #10 · answered by wigginsray 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋