I.

Introduction

Impeachment, process by which a legislative body can remove public officials from office. Impeachment comprises both the act of formulating an accusation or indictment against an official and the subsequent trial. In the United States, impeached officials who are convicted are removed from office, and may be subject to further criminal prosecution. Most other nations do not have impeachment processes.

Two United States presidents have been impeached. The U.S. House of Representatives impeached President Andrew Johnson in 1868 and President Bill Clinton in 1998. President Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 as impeachment proceedings were under way.

The United States Senate has held full impeachment trials 14 other times in American history. Twelve federal judges have been tried, and seven were convicted. The Senate acquitted four judges, and one resigned before the trial was complete. The Senate also tried and acquitted William W. Belknap, secretary of war during the administration of President Ulysses S. Grant.