Impeachment History — ImpeachDonaldJohnTrump.com

Impeached: February 24, 1868

Articles 1–8: Violating the Tenure of Office Act by removing Secretary of War Edwin Stanton without Senate approval

Article 9: Attempting to induce a military officer to violate the law

Article 10: Bringing Congress into disgrace through inflammatory speeches

Article 11: Omnibus article combining previous charges

Outcome: Acquitted by Senate

Senate Vote (May 16 & 26, 1868):
Article 11: 35 Guilty, 19 Not Guilty (fell 1 vote short of ⅔ needed)
Articles 2 & 3: Identical 35–19 votes
Result: Johnson remained in office by a single vote

Political Context

Johnson, a Southern Democrat who became president after Lincoln’s assassination, clashed violently with the Republican-controlled Congress over Reconstruction. He opposed civil rights for freed slaves and sought to restore Southern states quickly without protections for Black Americans. The Radical Republicans passed the Tenure of Office Act specifically to prevent Johnson from removing Stanton.

“I am right. I know I am right, and I am damned if I do not adhere to it.” — Andrew Johnson

Constitutional Precedents Set

1. Impeachment as Political Weapon: Established that impeachment could be used in partisan conflicts over policy, not just clear criminality.

2. Narrow Acquittal Preserves Presidency: A single vote can preserve presidential power, establishing high bar for removal.

3. Tenure of Office Act Later Repealed (1887): The law used to impeach Johnson was eventually repealed as likely unconstitutional.

Political Fallout

• Johnson served out his term but did not run for re-election in 1868

• The Radical Republicans lost momentum; Reconstruction was weakened

• Established precedent that impeachment alone does not destroy a presidency

• Seven Republicans voted to acquit, ending their political careers

Official Sources

Senate: Johnson Impeachment National Archives: Articles House History

Articles Approved by Judiciary Committee: July 1974

Article I: Obstruction of justice in Watergate cover-up (27–11 vote)

Article II: Abuse of power through misuse of federal agencies (28–10 vote)

Article III: Contempt of Congress for refusing subpoenas (21–17 vote)

Two additional articles (Cambodia bombing, tax fraud) were rejected by committee

Outcome: Resigned Before Full House Vote

Resignation: August 9, 1974
House Judiciary Committee approved articles, full House vote imminent
Republican Senate leaders informed Nixon he would be convicted
Result: First and only presidential resignation in US history

Political Context

The Watergate scandal began with a June 1972 break-in at Democratic National Committee headquarters. Investigations revealed Nixon’s administration orchestrated the burglary and conducted extensive cover-up efforts, including paying hush money, destroying evidence, and using federal agencies (FBI, CIA, IRS) to harass political enemies.

“I’m not a crook. I’ve earned everything I’ve got.” — Richard Nixon, November 17, 1973

“When the President does it, that means it’s not illegal.” — Richard Nixon, 1977 interview with David Frost

Constitutional Precedents Set

1. President Not Above the Law: United States v. Nixon (1974) unanimously ruled president must comply with subpoenas.

2. Resignation as Escape: Presidents can avoid impeachment through resignation, preventing accountability.

3. Obstruction Charge Template: Nixon’s Article I became blueprint for future obstruction articles.

4. Abuse of Federal Agencies: Defined misusing IRS, FBI, CIA as impeachable abuse of power.

Political Fallout

• Gerald Ford became president, immediately pardoned Nixon

• Pardon destroyed Ford’s 1976 re-election chances

• Democrats won massive Congressional majorities in 1974 midterms

• Post-Watergate reforms: Ethics in Government Act, FOIA amendments, campaign finance laws

• Permanently associated term “-gate” with political scandals

Official Sources

Nixon Library: Watergate National Archives: Articles US v. Nixon (SCOTUS)

Impeached: January 13, 2021

Single Article — Incitement of Insurrection: Trump incited the violent attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 to overturn the 2020 election results (232–197 House vote, 10 Republicans voted to impeach)

Outcome: Acquitted by Senate

Senate Vote (February 13, 2021):
Incitement of Insurrection: 57 Guilty, 43 Not Guilty (needed 67)
→ 7 Republicans voted guilty (most bipartisan impeachment vote ever)
Result: Trump acquitted but had already left office

Political Context

After losing the 2020 election, Trump spent months spreading false claims of election fraud. On January 6, 2021, as Congress met to certify Biden’s victory, Trump held a rally near the Capitol. A mob stormed the building, causing 5 deaths, 140+ officer injuries, and delaying certification for hours.

“We fight like hell. And if you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.” — Donald Trump, January 6, 2021

“Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution.” — Trump tweet during Capitol attack

Constitutional Precedents Set

1. Impeaching After Leaving Office: Established that former presidents can be impeached/tried.

2. Incitement as Impeachable: First impeachment for inciting violence against the government itself.

3. Fastest Impeachment: House voted just 7 days after the attack.

4. Most Bipartisan Conviction Vote: 7 Republican senators voted to convict.

5. McConnell’s Paradox: Voted to acquit but said Trump was “practically and morally responsible.”

Political Fallout

• 10 House Republicans voted to impeach; most faced primary challenges

• Cheney and Kinzinger censured by Republican Party, lost primaries

• Senate could have voted to bar Trump from future office but didn’t

• House Jan 6 Committee investigated, made criminal referrals to DOJ

• Trump ran for president again in 2024 and won

Key Evidence

• 187 minutes: Time Trump waited to tell mob to leave Capitol

• “Hang Mike Pence” chants as gallows erected outside

• Trump told aides “maybe Pence deserves it”

• Multiple calls to state officials pressuring them to “find” votes

• Eastman memo outlining unconstitutional plan for Pence to reject electors

Official Sources

H.Res.24: Article Senate Trial Record Jan 6 Committee Report

Presidential
Impeachment History

Fuel the Accountability

PresidentialImpeachment History

Fuel the Accountability

Fuel the Accountability

Presidential
Impeachment History