The Senate trial in the impeachment of U.S. President Bill Clinton begins.

Bill Clinton's Impeachment: A Landmark Constitutional Process

The impeachment of Bill Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States, represents a pivotal and constitutionally significant event in American history. On December 19, 1998, the United States House of Representatives, specifically the 105th United States Congress, formally voted to impeach President Clinton for "high crimes and misdemeanors." This constitutional phrase, while not limited to criminal offenses, broadly refers to abuses of power or breaches of public trust that warrant removal from office.

The Origins of the Impeachment Proceedings: From Civil Suit to Independent Counsel

The path to impeachment was multifaceted, beginning with a civil sexual harassment lawsuit filed against then-President Clinton by Paula Jones. During a sworn deposition in this lawsuit in January 1998, President Clinton denied having a sexual relationship with a former White House intern, Monica Lewinsky. This denial became a central point of contention as the investigation expanded.

The primary catalyst for the formal impeachment inquiry was the "Starr Report," a comprehensive document submitted to Congress in September 1998 by Independent Counsel Ken Starr. Initially appointed in 1994 to investigate the Whitewater land deal, Starr's mandate was expanded by Attorney General Janet Reno to include allegations related to the Paula Jones lawsuit and the Lewinsky affair, encompassing potential perjury and obstruction of justice. The Starr Report detailed 11 potential grounds for impeachment, providing the House Judiciary Committee with extensive factual findings and legal arguments.

Following the submission of the Starr Report, the House of Representatives launched a formal impeachment inquiry on October 8, 1998, to determine if sufficient grounds existed to proceed with impeachment.

The House of Representatives Votes: Charges of Perjury and Obstruction of Justice

After thorough deliberations and investigations, the House of Representatives adopted two articles of impeachment against President Clinton. These articles encapsulated the most serious allegations stemming from the investigations:

It is notable that the House Judiciary Committee had approved two additional articles of impeachment, one concerning abuse of power and another related to misstatements in answers to committee requests. However, these two articles ultimately failed to receive the necessary majority vote in the full House and were therefore rejected.

A Rare Precedent: Clinton as the Second Impeached President

Bill Clinton's impeachment marked a rare and significant moment in American political history, making him only the second President to be impeached by the House of Representatives. The first instance occurred in 1868 with the impeachment of Andrew Johnson. While Richard Nixon faced impeachment proceedings in 1974, he resigned from office before the House could cast a vote on articles of impeachment, thus avoiding a formal impeachment.

The Senate Trial: A Test of Constitutional Checks and Balances

Upon the House's vote, the approved articles of impeachment were formally submitted to the United States Senate on January 7, 1999. The Senate then convened a trial, acting as the jury, to determine whether to convict President Clinton and remove him from office. This solemn proceeding was presided over by the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, William Rehnquist, who assumed a role similar to that of a judge in a courtroom, ruling on procedural matters and evidence.

For conviction and removal from office, the Constitution requires a two-thirds majority vote of the senators present. In this specific instance, with 100 senators, a minimum of 67 votes would have been necessary to convict President Clinton on either article. After several weeks of testimony and deliberations, the Senate cast its votes on February 12, 1999, on each article of impeachment:

Since neither article garnered the requisite two-thirds majority, President Clinton was acquitted on both counts. Consequently, he remained in office and successfully completed the remainder of his second term as President of the United States, serving until January 2001.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Bill Clinton Impeachment

What is impeachment in the U.S. context?
Impeachment is the process by which a legislative body, typically the House of Representatives, formally charges a high-ranking government official, such as the President, with "high crimes and misdemeanors." It is the political equivalent of an indictment, not a removal from office.
What does "high crimes and misdemeanors" mean?
This constitutional phrase, originating from English law, is generally interpreted by legal scholars and historical precedent to encompass significant abuses of power, breaches of public trust, or other serious offenses that undermine the functioning or integrity of government, even if not strictly criminal in nature.
Was Bill Clinton removed from office after his impeachment?
No, President Bill Clinton was not removed from office. While he was impeached by the House of Representatives, he was subsequently acquitted by the United States Senate because neither article of impeachment received the necessary two-thirds majority vote for conviction.
Who was Ken Starr and what was the Starr Report?
Kenneth W. Starr was the Independent Counsel appointed to investigate various allegations involving President Clinton. The "Starr Report" was the formal report he submitted to Congress in September 1998, detailing his findings and concluding that there were substantial and credible information that may constitute grounds for impeachment against the President, particularly related to perjury and obstruction of justice regarding the Monica Lewinsky affair.
How many U.S. Presidents have been impeached?
As of 2024, four U.S. Presidents have been impeached by the House of Representatives: Andrew Johnson (1868), Bill Clinton (1998), and Donald Trump (2019 and 2021). None of these presidents were convicted by the Senate and removed from office.