Impeachment: Meaning, Overview, Examples

Impeachment is the process by which a public official is charged with and removed from office. In the United States, impeachment is a two-step process that begins in the House of Representatives and ends in the Senate.

**The House of Representatives**

The House of Representatives is responsible for initiating impeachment proceedings. To do so, a simple majority of members must vote to approve articles of impeachment. The articles of impeachment must allege that the official has committed "high crimes and misdemeanors."

**The Senate**

Once the House of Representatives has approved articles of impeachment, the case is sent to the Senate for trial. The Senate must then vote to convict the official by a two-thirds majority. If the Senate convicts the official, they are removed from office.

**Impeachment in the United States**

The United States Constitution provides for the impeachment of federal officials, including the president, vice president, and members of Congress. However, impeachment is a rare occurrence. Only three presidents have ever been impeached: Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump. In all three cases, the Senate acquitted the president.

**Impeachment in Other Countries**

Impeachment is also a feature of the government of many other countries. In some countries, impeachment is used to remove judges from office. In other countries, impeachment is used to remove heads of state.

**Conclusion**

Impeachment is a serious process that can have far-reaching consequences. It is important to understand the process of impeachment and the implications of impeachment before making a judgment about whether or not an official should be impeached.