Impeached for THAT? (Comparing the Trump Articles of Impeachment - Real Law Review) | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Democrats have drafted two articles of impeachment against President Trump, accusing him of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. This analysis compares Trump's case to past presidential impeachments and discusses the legal standards and political factors involved.

Key Insights

• 👑 Impeachment originated in England as a means to limit the power of kings and queens.
• ✋ The US Constitution includes impeachment as a tool to remove federal officeholders for treason, bribery, or high crimes and misdemeanors.
• 🧑‍💼 Previous impeachments have involved charges such as abuse of office, exceeding constitutional powers, and conduct incompatible with the proper function of the office.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What actions can get a federal officer impeached?

According to the US Constitution, a person can be impeached for treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. However, the term "high crimes and misdemeanors" is not clearly defined, leading to ambiguity in determining specific actions that warrant impeachment.

Q: What were the three categories of non-presidential impeachment?

Non-presidential impeachments have fallen into three categories: abuse of office, exceeding constitutional powers, and conduct incompatible with the proper function of the office. Examples include taking bribes, showing bias as a federal judge, and moral failings such as being a drunkard.

Q: How did previous impeachment cases differ from President Trump's?

In past impeachments, the charges were related to specific criminal acts, such as bribery or obstruction of justice. President Trump's case focuses on abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. However, there are similarities in the grounds for impeachment across these cases.

Q: Are impeachment proceedings purely political?

Impeachment is both a legal and political process. While there is a legal standard for impeachment, political considerations play a significant role in the decision to impeach. It is ultimately up to Congress to decide whether a president should be impeached, and their decisions often factor in practical political considerations.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Impeachment is the process by which Congress can remove federal officeholders from their position when they commit wrongdoing.

• The concept of impeachment originated in England, where it was used to limit the power of kings and queens.

• In the American colonies, impeachment was used to remove colonial officials who reported to the crown.

• The US Constitution includes impeachment as a tool to remove the president, vice-president, and civil officers for treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.