The impeachment of Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, has made headlines worldwide. This event marks only the third time in U.S history that a president has been impeached by the House of Representatives. The two previous incidents involved Presidents Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998. In this instance, the next phase will be a trial in the Senate. Before delving into the specifics, it’s important to understand the structure and function of the U.S legislature – the Congress.
Understanding the U.S Congressional Structure
The United States Congress is a bicameral legislature composed of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Each state, irrespective of its size, sends two senators to the Senate. In contrast, representation in the House of Representatives is based on population size. These two bodies work together to perform legislative duties, including impeachment proceedings.
The Impeachment Process According to the US Constitution
The U.S Constitution sets forth the rules for impeaching a president. According to this foundational document, the President can be impeached and removed from office for “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanours.” The phrase “high Crimes and Misdemeanours” is not explicitly defined, leaving room for interpretation.
The Comparison with India’s Impeachment Process
In comparison to the U.S impeachment process, India’s impeachment process for its President is somewhat different. According to the Indian Constitution, the President of India can be removed from office only for ‘violation of the Constitution.’ However, what constitutes a ‘violation of the Constitution’ is not defined, similar to the unclear definition of “high Crimes and Misdemeanours” in the US Constitution.
| Country | Grounds for Impeachment | Methodology |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanours | Impeachment by House of Representatives, Conviction by Senate |
| India | Violation of the Constitution | Passed by a majority of total membership in both Houses of Parliament and at least 2/3 members present and voting |
The Historical Context: Previous U.S Presidential Impeachments
The first U.S presidential impeachment occurred in 1868 with President Andrew Johnson, who was accused of violating the Tenure of Office Act. The House of Representatives approved the articles of impeachment, but the Senate did not reach the necessary two-thirds majority to convict Johnson.
The second impeachment of a U.S president was that of Bill Clinton in 1998. The House of Representatives charged Clinton with perjury and obstruction of justice. However, like Johnson, Clinton was acquitted by the Senate.
Now, Donald Trump joins this short list as the third U.S President to be impeached by the House of Representatives. The charges against him include abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. As the trial moves to the Senate, the world watches intently to see the result of this historical event.
