ObjectivesDiscuss the Origins of the Impeachment and
its process in the United StatesAnalyze the impeachments of Supreme Court
Justice Samuel Chase and President’s Andrew Johnson and William “Bill” Clinton
Analyze Nixon’s near impeachment
Origins and Process of Impeachment
Jolly Old EnglandMadison and Federalist 51- “Ambition must be
made to counteract ambition.” Article 1, Sections 2 and 3; Article II, Section 4;
and Article III, Section 1- Impeachment in the Constitution
Process Continued…Art. II, Sect. 4“The President, Vice President and all Civil
Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”
Treason-Art. III, Sect. 3Bribery High Crimes and Misdemeanors- George
Mason vs. James Madison
Process Continued...CongressHouse of Representatives (218)
Committee Prosecution
Senate (2/3 or 67/100)Judge and Jury
Supreme CourtModerator
Votes Impeachment and Acquittal
Samuel ChaseUnited States Supreme Court Justice Federalist Jefferson vs. AdamsImpeachment
8 articles Fries case 5 of 8 were Callender Case
Chase VoteSENATE VOTE
Fries Article 16 Conviction 18 Acquittal
Second Article 10 Conviction 24 Acquittal
Third Article 18 Conviction 16 Acquittal
Fourth Article 18 Conviction 16 Acquittal
“Several of the historians who have written on the subject have taken the view espoused by John Quincy Adams: The impeachment was a partisan effort by the Republicans to ‘get’ Chase…” (Rehnquist, 1992, 107).
Andrew Johnson17th United States President after death of LincolnDemocratPresident’s Reconstruction vs. Congress
ReconstructionFreedman’s Bureau Bill, Civil Rights Act of 1866,
Reconstruction Act of 1867, Tenure of Office Act Radical Republicans Edwin Stanton
Johnson ImpeachedImpeachment Number 1
Complaints filed against the president Failed House vote…108-57
Impeachment Number 211 Articles Filed Supreme Court Justice Salmon P. Chase Acquitted
Johnson Vote
House 126 Conviction
47 Nay
Senate 35 Conviction 19 Acquittal
Note: At this time it took 36 out of 54 Senate votes to reach the 2/3 majority.
William “Bill” Clinton42nd President of the United StatesPaula Jones and Monica Lewinsky Kenneth Starr Impeachment
4 Articles 2 passed the House: Perjury and Obstruction of
Justice 2 did NOT pass the House: Article II and Article IV
Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist Honorable Edward Pease (R-IN)
Clinton VoteHouse Judiciary Committee
Charge Yes by Party No by Party
Perjury 21 Republicans 16 Democrats
Obstruction of Justice
21 Republicans 16 Democrats
Article II 20 Republicans 17 Democrats ; 1 Republican
Article IV 21 Republicans 16 Democrats
Clinton VoteHouse of Representatives
Charge and Vote
Yes by Party No by Party
Not Voting
Perjury 228-206 223 Rep; 5 Dem 5 Rep; 200 Dems; 1 Ind
1 Dem
Obstruction of Justice 221-212
216 Rep; 5 Dem 12 Rep; 199 Dem; 1 Ind
2 Dem
Article II 205-229
200 Rep; 5 Dem 28 Rep; 200 Dem; 1 Ind
1 Dem
Article IV 148-285
147 Rep; 1 Dem 81 Rep; 203 Dem; 1 Ind
2 Dem
Clinton VoteSenate
Charge and Vote Yes by Party No by Party
Perjury 45-55 45 Rep 45 Dem; 10 Rep
Obstruction of Justice 50-50
50 Rep 45 Dem; 5 Rep
Richard M. Nixon37th President of the United StatesRepublicanWatergate and Tapes Executive privilege and US vs. NixonImpeachment
Only House Judiciary 3 Articles
Obstruction of Justice Abuse of Power Defiance of Subpoenas
Resignation
Nixon VoteHouse Judiciary Committee
Charge and Vote Yes by Party No by Party
Article I 27-11 21 Dem; 6 Rep 11 Rep
Article II 28-10 21 Dem; 7 Rep 10 Rep
Article III 21-17 19 Dem; 2 Rep 2 Dem; 15 Rep
ClosingExplanation of what we have observed in
regards to impeachment in the House and acquittal in the Senate
What should be grounds for Impeachment:TreasonBriberyHigh Crimes and Misdemeanors
Questions and AnswersFinal Thoughts
Books to Consider Impeachment: A Handbook by Charles L. Black Jr. The Impeachment and Trial of Andrew Johnson by Michael
Les Benedict The Impeachment and Trial of Andrew Johnson by David
Miller Dewitt An Affair of State: The Investigation, Impeachment, and
Trial of President Clinton by Richard A. Posner Our Monica, Ourselves: The Clinton Affair and the National
Interest by Lauren Berlant and Lisa DugganAbuse of Power: The New Nixon Tapes by Stanley I. Kutler U.S. v. Richard Nixon: The Final Crisis by Frank
Mankiewicz Grand Inquests: The Historic Impeachments of Justice
Samuel Chase and President Andrew Johnson by William H. Rehnquist
Thank YouHave a Wonderful Political Science experience
with Dr. Lewis and Huntingdon CollegeHave a Happy Holiday SeasonSafe Travels
Larry M. NewtonCell:334-303-9074
Email: [email protected] (or)[email protected]