Which US presidents were impeached?
Presidents Who Faced Impeachment: A History of Controversy
Throughout U.S. history, presidents have found themselves at the center of impeachment efforts for various reasons. This week, President Joe Biden joined the list of presidents facing an impeachment inquiry, as announced by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
A Long Line of Controversy
According to an analysis from the Washington Post, presidents such as Thomas Jefferson, Harry S. Truman, and every president since 1981 (excluding Barack Obama) have faced impeachment investigations at some point.
While a few of these efforts were taken seriously, most never progressed to official inquiries. However, two presidents faced the prospect of impeachment not once, but twice.
The Presidents Under Scrutiny
Here is a list of the presidents who have faced impeachment inquiries, whether articles of impeachment were filed or just considered:
- Joe Biden
- Donald Trump
- Bill Clinton
- Richard Nixon
- Andrew Johnson
- James Buchanan
- John Tyler
- Thomas Jefferson
Joe Biden’s Impeachment Inquiry
This week, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy directed the House Judiciary, Oversight, and Ways and Means Committees to begin an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. Notably, the inquiry will not be opened through a vote on the House floor.
Leading the inquiry efforts are top House Republicans, including Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith.
Donald Trump’s Impeachment Saga
Former President Donald Trump faced two impeachment efforts during his tenure. The first occurred in 2019 when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House Intelligence Committee launched an impeachment inquiry into Trump’s actions regarding Ukraine.
The second impeachment effort came in 2021 following the Capitol riot on January 6. House lawmakers skipped an inquiry and filed articles of impeachment directly to the full House. Trump was accused of “incitement to insurrection” for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Bill Clinton’s Controversial Legacy
In 1998, the House Judiciary Committee filed an impeachment inquiry into former President Bill Clinton. The inquiry stemmed from a yearslong investigation into Clinton’s sexual relationship with a White House intern.
Four articles of impeachment were sent to the full House, but Clinton was ultimately acquitted by the Senate in 1999. However, he was later fined by a federal judge for providing false testimony about the affair.
The Watergate Scandal and Richard Nixon
Former President Richard Nixon faced an impeachment inquiry for his involvement in the Watergate scandal. Accused of abusing his executive power and obstructing justice, Nixon resigned before the full House could vote on the articles of impeachment.
Andrew Johnson’s Turbulent Presidency
Former President Andrew Johnson faced two impeachment inquiries in 1867 and 1868. The first inquiry failed to impeach Johnson, but the second resulted in his impeachment by the House. However, he was acquitted by the Senate, falling just one vote short of conviction.
Other Presidents Under Scrutiny
While not facing impeachment inquiries, former President James Buchanan had a House committee investigate allegations of corruption during his administration. Additionally, former President John Tyler faced an impeachment inquiry led by Vice President John Quincy Adams, but the House ultimately failed to impeach him.
Thomas Jefferson’s Brush with Impeachment
Former President Thomas Jefferson faced an impeachment inquiry resolution in 1809, although it was not taken seriously by lawmakers. The resolution stemmed from a dispute over a federal official’s retirement, but it ultimately failed.
Impeachment inquiries have been a part of American history, shaping the presidency and the nation’s political landscape. As President Joe Biden faces his own inquiry, the outcome remains uncertain, adding another chapter to this ongoing saga.
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What were the allegations of perjury and obstruction of justice against Bill Clinton, and how did they lead to his impeachment in 1999?
Temmed from allegations of perjury and obstruction of justice related to his extramarital affair with Monica Lewinsky. After months of investigations and hearings, Clinton was ultimately impeached by the House but acquitted by the Senate in 1999.
Richard Nixon’s Resignation
Richard Nixon is the only president in U.S. history to have resigned from office. The Watergate scandal, which involved illegal activities that took place during Nixon’s presidency, led to his impeachment inquiry in 1974. Faced with the prospect of impeachment and removal from office, Nixon chose to resign before the process could be completed.
Andrew Johnson’s Impeachment Trial
Andrew Johnson became the first president to be impeached in 1868. The impeachment arose from a conflict between Johnson and Congress over his efforts to reconstruct the South following the Civil War. The House of Representatives impeached Johnson on charges of violating the Tenure of Office Act, but he narrowly avoided removal from office after the Senate failed to reach the necessary two-thirds majority to convict him.
The Legacy of Controversy
Impeachment has been a recurring theme in U.S. presidential history, a reflection of the political divisions and controversies that have shaped the nation. While some impeachment efforts have seemed politically motivated, others have raised legitimate concerns about the actions and conduct of the presidents in question.
The impeachment process serves as a constitutional mechanism for holding the highest office in the land accountable for abuses of power, corruption, and other offenses. While not all presidents who faced impeachment were ultimately removed from office, the process itself has significant implications for the presidency and the stability of the country.
As President Joe Biden now faces an impeachment inquiry, the nation once again grapples with the complexities and consequences of this historical process. Whether it leads to further action or not, the fact that another president is under scrutiny reinforces the importance of checks and balances in American democracy.
Only time will tell how the Biden impeachment inquiry unfolds and what impact it will have on the presidency and the nation as a whole. Regardless, it is clear that the presidency will continue to be marked by controversy, scrutiny, and the ever-present possibility of impeachment.
Sources:
– “Impeachment in the United States” – Wikipedia
– “Presidents who faced impeachment” – CNN
– “List of United States presidential impeachment efforts” – Wikipedia+
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