Congressional Democrats are moving closer to opening a formal impeachment inquiry into President Trump. Here's how the constitutional process works.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump now faces a formal impeachment inquiry. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be removed from office.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, under pressure from some Democrats to start impeachment proceedings, announced Tuesday the opening of an impeachment inquiry against Trump amid revelations he urged Ukraine to investigate his political rival, Joe Biden.
Why is Trump under fire?Trump’s admission that he urged Ukraine to investigate Biden has set off new calls for the president's impeachment. Impeachment chatter started earlier this year as special counsel Robert Mueller was investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and whether anyone in Trump’s campaign conspired with Moscow.
The House Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over impeachment proceedings, decides whether to pursue articles of impeachment against the accused official and can hold hearings to review the accusations. If the committee votes to approve articles of impeachment, the formal charges move to the full House for consideration.
What's an impeachable offense?Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution says the president, vice president and other federal officials can be removed from office upon conviction for treason, bribery and “other high crimes and misdemeanors.”“This is one of the most famously contested phrases in all of constitutional law,” said Joshua Matz, one of the authors of the book “To End a Presidency: The Power of Impeachment.
Just eight of those impeached – all federal judges – have been convicted and removed from office by the Senate. Officeholders impeached but not removed include a cabinet secretary , a U.S. senator and two presidents.
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