Events on January 17 in history

Lewinsky scandal: Matt Drudge breaks the story of the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky affair on his Drudge Report website.

The Clinton-Lewinsky Scandal: A Defining Moment in American Politics

The year 1998 marked a tumultuous period in American political history with the public revelation of a political sex scandal involving then-U.S. President Bill Clinton and a 24-year-old White House intern, Monica Lewinsky. This complex and highly publicized affair, which captivated and divided the nation, centered on a sexual relationship that transpired between Clinton and Lewinsky from 1995 to 1997, largely within the confines of the White House.

The Genesis of the Scandal: From Internship to Impeachment Proceedings

Monica Lewinsky, a graduate of Lewis & Clark College, initially joined the White House staff as an intern in 1995 during President Clinton's first term. Her career trajectory saw her later transition into a paid position within the White House Office of Legislative Affairs. It was during her tenure at the White House that a personal relationship with President Clinton reportedly began. The details of this clandestine relationship were later confided by Lewinsky to her co-worker at the Department of Defense, Linda Tripp, who, unbeknownst to Lewinsky, secretly recorded their telephone conversations. These recordings would become pivotal evidence in the ensuing scandal.

The scandal erupted into public consciousness in late January 1998. On January 26, 1998, in a televised press conference, President Clinton famously and emphatically denied the allegations, stating, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky." This direct denial, delivered to the American people, set the stage for a dramatic and contentious legal and political battle.

Unveiling the Truth: Linda Tripp and the Starr Investigation

The catalyst for the public unraveling of the scandal was Linda Tripp. In January 1998, Tripp discovered that Lewinsky had submitted a sworn affidavit in the ongoing Paula Jones civil lawsuit against President Clinton, in which Lewinsky denied having a sexual relationship with the President. Recognizing the potential legal implications and inconsistencies, Tripp delivered her secret recordings of conversations with Lewinsky to Kenneth Starr, the independent counsel. At the time, Starr was already conducting a broad investigation into President Clinton and his administration on various other matters, including the Whitewater real estate controversy, the White House FBI files controversy (often referred to as Filegate), and the White House travel office controversy (Travelgate). The inclusion of the Lewinsky matter significantly expanded the scope and intensity of Starr's investigation.

Legal Ramifications: Grand Jury, Impeachment, and Acquittal

The investigation by Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr led to President Clinton testifying before a grand jury. During this testimony, Clinton's responses regarding the nature of his relationship with Lewinsky were meticulously worded, leading to one of the most memorable and controversial statements of the entire affair: "It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is," in response to questions about the veracity of his earlier statement that "there is not a sexual relationship, an improper sexual relationship or any other kind of improper relationship." This semantic argument, attempting to define the parameters of "sexual relations," drew widespread criticism and further fueled the public debate.

Ultimately, the extensive investigation culminated in the impeachment of Bill Clinton by the U.S. House of Representatives in December 1998. He faced two articles of impeachment: perjury for providing false testimony to a grand jury, and obstruction of justice for his alleged efforts to conceal his relationship with Lewinsky. Clinton became only the second U.S. President in history, after Andrew Johnson in 1868, to be impeached by the House.

Following the House's impeachment, the proceedings moved to the U.S. Senate for a trial. The Senate trial, which lasted 21 days in early 1999, required a two-thirds majority vote to convict the President and remove him from office. On February 12, 1999, the Senate acquitted Clinton on both impeachment charges. For the charge of perjury, the vote was 45-55 (55 votes for not guilty, 45 for guilty), and for obstruction of justice, the vote was 50-50. In both instances, the votes fell short of the 67 votes required for conviction, allowing Clinton to complete his second term in office.

Lingering Consequences: Civil Contempt and Disbarment

Despite the Senate acquittal, Bill Clinton faced further legal repercussions. U.S. District Judge Susan Webber Wright, who presided over the Paula Jones civil sexual harassment lawsuit, held Clinton in civil contempt of court. This finding stemmed from Clinton's misleading testimony regarding Monica Lewinsky during a deposition in the Jones case. As a result of this contempt finding, Judge Wright fined Clinton $90,000.

Furthermore, his professional standing as a lawyer was significantly impacted. His license to practice law was suspended in Arkansas, his home state, for a period of five years. Shortly after this state-level suspension, he was also disbarred from presenting cases before the United States Supreme Court, marking a significant and lasting professional consequence of the scandal.

The Legacy and Nomenclature of "Monicagate"

The Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, a watershed moment in American political discourse, quickly acquired several informal names, most notably "Monicagate" or "Lewinskygate." Other epithets included "Tailgate," "Sexgate," and "Zippergate." These terms all followed the "-gate" suffix convention, which originated from the Watergate scandal of the 1970s involving President Richard Nixon. The widespread adoption of these monikers underscored the public's perception of the scandal's gravity and its similarities to previous high-profile political controversies. The scandal profoundly impacted public trust in government and continues to be a subject of historical analysis regarding presidential conduct, media influence, and political accountability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Clinton-Lewinsky Scandal

When did the Clinton-Lewinsky relationship begin and end?

The sexual relationship between U.S. President Bill Clinton and White House intern Monica Lewinsky lasted from 1995 to 1997.

What was President Clinton's famous denial statement?

On January 26, 1998, President Clinton famously stated, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky," in a televised press conference.

Who was Linda Tripp and what was her role?

Linda Tripp was a co-worker of Monica Lewinsky at the Department of Defense who secretly recorded their telephone conversations. She later provided these recordings to Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr, which became crucial evidence in the investigation.

What was the "it depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is" statement?

This controversial statement was made by President Clinton during his grand jury testimony. He used it to argue that the truthfulness of his statements about his relationship with Lewinsky depended on the specific definition of "is" or "sexual relations," drawing a distinction between different forms of physical intimacy.

Was Bill Clinton impeached?

Yes, Bill Clinton was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives in December 1998 on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. He was subsequently acquitted on both charges by the U.S. Senate in February 1999, allowing him to remain in office.

What were the lasting legal consequences for Bill Clinton?

Beyond impeachment, Clinton was held in civil contempt of court and fined $90,000 by Judge Susan Webber Wright for misleading testimony in the Paula Jones case. His license to practice law was suspended in Arkansas for five years, and he was disbarred from presenting cases before the United States Supreme Court.

Why is it sometimes called "Monicagate" or "Zippergate"?

These informal names, like "Monicagate" or "Zippergate," follow the "-gate" suffix used since the Watergate scandal of the 1970s. This naming convention is applied to major political scandals, signifying their perceived gravity and public impact.