Impeachment | Foundations of American democracy | US government and civics | Khan Academy

Summary

This video delves into the concept of impeachment within the US government, explaining its role as a formal accusation rather than automatic removal from office. It outlines the impeachment process, involving the House of Representatives for accusation and the Senate for trial and potential conviction. Historical examples of impeachments, including Presidents Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, are discussed, highlighting that neither was removed from office. The video also touches on the constitutional basis for impeachment, the significance of a two-thirds Senate majority for conviction, and the debate over what constitutes 'high crimes and misdemeanors.'

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The video discusses the concept of impeachment within the context of the U.S. government's separation of powers.
• 🤔 Impeachment is a formal accusation, not automatic removal from office, and is akin to an indictment in legal terms.
• 🗳️ The U.S. House of Representatives has the sole power to impeach with a simple majority vote.
• 👨‍⚖️ The U.S. Senate has the sole power to try impeachments and decide on conviction, requiring a two-thirds majority.
• 🚫 The Senate cannot send a President to jail but can remove them from office and bar them from future office.
• 📜 Historically, only two U.S. Presidents have been impeached: Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, but neither was convicted.
• 💡 The Constitution's Article I, Section 2, Clause 5 outlines the impeachment process, emphasizing the roles of the House and Senate.
• 🤔 The Constitution does not explicitly define 'high crimes and misdemeanors,' leaving room for interpretation and political influence.
• 👨‍💼 Impeachment can apply to all civil officers, but the term's scope, including members of Congress, is debated.
• 🗣️ Gerald Ford suggested that an impeachable offense is subjective and determined by the majority in the House and the Senate's perception of seriousness.

Q & A

What is the main focus of this video?

The main focus of this video is to explain the concept of impeachment, how it works, and its historical background within the context of the United States government.

What is the principle of separation of powers in the US government?

The principle of separation of powers refers to the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another. In the US, this includes the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.

Who heads the Executive Branch of the US government?

The Executive Branch of the US government is headed by the President of the United States, who is in charge of running the state and the government.

What are the functions of the Legislative Branch in the US government?

The Legislative Branch, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, is responsible for passing laws and deciding on the budget used by the Executive Branch to run the government.

What is the role of the Judicial Branch in the US government?

The Judicial Branch, primarily the US Supreme Court, interprets laws, decides on the constitutionality of laws and Executive actions, and can even determine the appointment of its members by the Executive Branch.

How does the concept of checks and balances relate to the impeachment process?

Checks and balances ensure that no single branch of government becomes too powerful. In the context of impeachment, the Legislative Branch can impeach (formally accuse), but the Judicial Branch, through the Senate, tries the individual to determine guilt and potential removal from office.

What is the difference between impeachment and removal from office?

Impeachment is a formal accusation made by the House of Representatives, similar to an indictment. Removal from office can only occur if the Senate convicts the accused with a two-thirds majority vote.

Which US Presidents have been impeached and what were the outcomes?

President Andrew Johnson was impeached in 1869 but was acquitted by the Senate. President Bill Clinton was impeached in 1998 on accusations of obstruction of justice and perjury but was also acquitted by the Senate. Neither was removed from office.

What is the historical significance of the impeachment of President Richard Nixon?

Richard Nixon is historically significant because he resigned from office before the impeachment process was completed, making his case the closest to actual removal from office through impeachment-like proceedings.

What does the Constitution say about the impeachment process?

The Constitution, specifically Article I, Section 2, Clause 5, grants the House of Representatives the sole power of impeachment and the Senate the sole power to try all impeachments. It also specifies that no person can be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the Senate members present.

What are the limits of the Senate's power during impeachment trials?

The Senate can only remove an individual from office and disqualify them from holding future office. They cannot send the individual to jail; however, the person remains subject to the traditional legal system for any crimes committed.

What is the definition of 'high Crimes and Misdemeanors' in the context of impeachment?

The term 'high Crimes and Misdemeanors' is not explicitly defined in the Constitution, leading to ongoing debate about what constitutes an impeachable offense. Gerald Ford once stated that an impeachable offense is whatever a majority of the House of Representatives considers it to be at a given moment in history.