Impeachment Chapter 1:TheSenate'sImpeachmentRole Chapter 2:HistoricalDevelopment Chapter 3:InfluentialImpeachmentCases Chapter 4:CompleteListofSenateImpeachmentTrials TheSenate'sImpeachmentRole TheUnitedStatesConstitutionprovidesthattheHouseofRepresentatives"shallhavethe solePowerofImpeachment"(ArticleI,section2)andthat"theSenateshallhavethesole PowertotryallImpeachments....[but]nopersonshallbeconvictedwithoutthe ConcurrenceoftwothirdsoftheMemberspresent"(ArticleI,section3).Thepresident, vicepresident,andallcivilofficersoftheUnitedStatesaresubjecttoimpeachment.

achment. TheconceptofimpeachmentoriginatedinEnglandandwasadoptedbymanyofthe Americancolonialgovernmentsandstateconstitutions.AttheConstitutionalConvention in1787,theframersconsideredseveralpossibilitiesbeforedecidingthattheSenate shouldtryimpeachments. Impeachmentisaveryseriousaffair.ThispowerofCongressistheultimateweapon againstofficialsofthefederalgovernment,andisafundamentalcomponentofthe constitutionalsystemofchecksandbalances.Inimpeachmentproceedings,theHouse ofRepresentativeschargesanofficialbyapproving,bymajorityvote,articlesof impeachment.Acommitteeofrepresentatives,calledmanagers,actsasprosecutors beforetheSenate.TheSenateChamberservesasthecourtroom.TheSenatebecomes juryandjudge,exceptinthecaseofpresidentialimpeachmenttrialswhenthechief justiceoftheUnitedStatespresides.TheConstitutionrequiresatwothirdsvoteofthe Senatetoconvict,andthepenaltyforanimpeachedofficialisremovalfromoffice.In somecases,disqualificationfromholdingfutureofficesisalsoimposed.Thereisno appeal. HistoricalDevelopment InTheFederalist,No.65,AlexanderHamiltonwrotethatimpeachmentis"amethodof nationalinquestintotheconductofpublicmen."Hamiltonandhiscolleaguesatthe ConstitutionalConventionknewthatthehistoryofimpeachmentasaconstitutional processdatedfrom14thcenturyEngland,whenthefledglingParliamentsoughttomake theking'sadvisersaccountable.Bythemid15thcentury,impeachmenthadfalleninto disuseinEngland,but,intheearly17thcentury,theexcessesoftheEnglishkings promptedParliamenttoreviveitsimpeachmentpower.EvenastheConstitution'sframers toiledinPhiladelphiain1787,theimpeachmenttrialofBritishofficialWarrenHastings wasinprogressinLondonandavidlyfollowedinAmerica.Hastings,whowas eventuallyacquitted,waschargedwithoppression,bribery,andfraudascolonial

administratorandfirstgovernorgeneralinIndia. TheAmericancolonialgovernmentsandearlystateconstitutionsfollowedtheBritish patternoftrialbeforetheupperlegislativebodyonchargesbroughtbythelowerhouse. Despitetheseprecedents,amajorcontroversyaroseattheConstitutionalConvention aboutwhethertheSenateshouldactasthecourtofimpeachment.Opposingthatrolefor theSenate,JamesMadisonandCharlesCotesworthPinckneyassertedthatitwouldmake thepresidenttoodependentonthelegislativebranch.Theysuggested,asalternativetrial bodies,theSupremeCourtorthechiefjusticesofthestatesupremecourts.Hamiltonand othersargued,however,thatsuchbodieswouldbetoosmallandsusceptibleto corruption.Intheend,aftermuchwrangling,theframersselectedtheSenateasthetrial forum.ToHamiltonfellthetaskofexplainingtheconvention'sdecision.InThe Federalist,No.65,heargued: TheConventionthoughttheSenatethemostfitdepositoryofthisimportanttrust. WhereelsethanintheSenatecouldhavebeenfoundatribunalsufficientlydignified, orsufficientlyindependent?Whatotherbodywouldbelikelytofeelconfidence enoughinitsownsituation,topreserveunawedanduninfluencedthenecessary impartialitybetweenanindividualaccused,andtherepresentativesofthepeople,his accusers? TherewasalsoconsiderabledebateattheconventioninPhiladelphiaoverthedefinition ofimpeachablecrimes.Intheearlyproposals,thepresidentandotherofficialscouldbe removedonimpeachmentandconvictionfor"corruptconduct,"orfor"malpracticeor neglectofduty."Later,thewordingwaschangedto"treason,bribery,orcorruption,"and thento"treasonorbribery"alone.Contendingthat"treasonorbribery"wastoonarrowa definition,GeorgeMasonproposedadding"maladministration,"butswitchedto"other highcrimesandmisdemeanorsagainstthestate"whenMadisoncommentedthat"mal administration"wastoobroad.Afinalrevisiondefinedimpeachablecrimesas"treason, briberyorotherhighcrimesandmisdemeanors." Whiletheframersveryclearlyenvisagedtheoccasionalnecessityofinitiating impeachmentproceedings,theyputinplaceonlyaverygeneralframeworktoguide futureaction.Perhapsmostimportant,theydidnotclearlydefinewhattheymeantby highcrimesandmisdemeanors.Despitetheopenendedness,theframersreshapeda tooltheEnglishParliamentusedtocurbkingsandpunishplacemenintoapowerful legislativecheckuponexecutiveandjudicialwrongdoing.IntheAmericanversionof impeachment,thepoweroftheEnglishHouseofCommonstoimpeachanyone,for almostanyallegedoffense,wasrestrained,andthethreatofdeathuponconvictionwas lifted.InAmerica,impeachmentreflectedindigenousexperienceandrevolutionarytenets aswellasEnglishtraditionandprecedent. Since1789,oneprincipalquestionhaspersistedhowtodefinehighcrimesand misdemeanors.ThisquestionhasbeenhotlydebatedbymembersofCongress,defense attorneys,andlegalscholarsfromthefirstimpeachmenttrialtothemostrecent.Were misdemeanorslessercrimes,ormerelymisconducts?Didahighcrimeormisdemeanor havetobeaviolationofwrittenlaw?Overtheyears,"highcrimesandmisdemeanors"

havebeenanythingtheprosecutorshavewantedthemtobe.Inanunsuccessfulattempt toimpeachSupremeCourtJusticeWilliamO.Douglasin1960,RepresentativeGerald Forddeclared:"AnimpeachableoffenseiswhateveramajorityoftheHouseof Representativesconsidersittobeatagivenmomentinhistory."Thephraseisthesubject ofcontinuingdebate,pittingbroadconstructionists,whoviewimpeachmentasapolitical weapon,againstnarrowconstructionists,whoregardimpeachmentasbeinglimitedto indictableoffenses. NarrowconstructionistswonamajorvictorywhenSupremeCourtJusticeSamuelChase wasacquittedin1805,usingashisdefensetheargumentthatthechargesagainsthim werenotbasedonanyindictableoffense.PresidentAndrewJohnsonwonacquittalwitha similardefensein1868.Thefirsttwoconvictionsinthe20thcentury,however,thoseof JudgeRobertArchbaldin1913andJudgeHalstedRitterin1936,neitherofwhomhad committedindictableoffenses,madeitclearthatthebroadconstructionistsstillcarried considerableweight.Thedebatecontinuedduringthe1974investigationintotheconduct ofPresidentRichardNixon,withthestaffoftheHouseJudiciaryCommitteearguingfor abroadviewof"highcrimesandmisdemeanors"whileNixon'sdefenseattorneys understandablyarguedforanarrowerview. InfluentialImpeachmentCases ThebitteranimositiesgrowingoutoftheCivilWargaverisetothefirstimpeachment trialofaUnitedStatespresident,thatofPresidentAndrewJohnsonin1868.When Johnsonsucceededtothepresidencyin1865,followingtheassassinationofAbraham Lincoln,hisideasforamildReconstructionofthesouthernstatesclashedwiththe wishesofamajorityoftheCongress,controlledbyRadicalRepublicanswhofavored muchstrongeraction.Overthenextthreeyears,JohnsonandCongresswerelockedin battle. TheTenureofOfficeAct,theviolationofwhichwastobethelegalbasisfor impeachment,waspassedoverJohnson'svetoonMarch2,1867.Itforbadethepresident toremovecivilofficersappointedwiththeconsentoftheSenatewithouttheapprovalof theSenate.Despitethecertainconsequences,JohnsondecidedtoremoveSecretaryof WarEdwinStanton,anallyoftheRadicalRepublicans.ThisactenragedJohnsons politicalenemiesandsetinmotionthefirstpresidentialimpeachment. Johnson'sSenatetrialbeganonMarch5,1868,operatingundernewlyrevisedrulesand procedures.OnMay16,afterweeksoftenseanddramaticproceedings,theSenatetooka testvoteonArticleXI,acatchallchargethoughtbytheHousemanagersmostlikelyto achieveaconviction.Thedramaofthevotehasbecomelegendary.With36votesfor guiltyneededtoconstituteatwothirdsmajorityforconviction,therollcallproduced 35votesforguiltyand19votesfornotguilty.SevenRepublicans,knownasthe RepublicanRecusants,joinedthe12DemocratsinsupportingJohnson.Tendayslater, avoteontwomorearticlesproducedthesameresults.Toheadofffurtherdefeats,the

RadicalRepublicansmovedtoadjournthetrialsinedie,abruptlyendingtheimpeachment trialofPresidentAndrewJohnson.Thepresidentwassavedfromremoval,andthe independenceoftheexecutivewasstrengthened. Anotherinfluentialimpeachmenttrialcamein1905,whenFloridaDistrictJudgeCharles Swaynewasimpeachedforfilingfalsetravelvouchers,improperuseofprivaterailroad cars,unlawfullyimprisoningtwoattorneysforcontempt,andlivingoutsideofhis district.Swayne'strialconsumednearlythreemonthsoftheSenateschedulebeforeit endedonFebruary27,1905,whentheSenatevotedtoacquit.Therewaslittledoubtthat Swaynewasguiltyofsomeoftheoffenseschargedagainsthim.Indeed,hiscounsel admittedasmuch,andcalledthelapses"inadvertent."TheSenaterefusedtoconvict Swayne,however,becausemanysenatorsdidnotbelievehisoffensesamountedto"high crimesandmisdemeanors."Duringthislongtrial,itwassuggestedthataSenate committee,ratherthantheSenateasawhole,shouldhearimpeachmentevidence,and SenatorGeorgeF.HoarofMassachusettsproposedthatthepresidingofficerappoint suchacommittee.WhileHoar'sproposalwouldeventuallybeembodiedinRuleXIof theSenate'simpeachmentrules,in1905theresolutionwasreferredtotheRules Committee,whichtooknoaction. ThenextimpeachmenttrialwasthatofJudgeRobertArchbaldoftheCommerceCourt. In1913,Archbaldwaschargedwithseriousactsofmisconductstretchingovermany years,includingusinghisofficetoobtainadvantageousbusinessdealsandfreetripsto Europe.AsintheSwaynecase,noneofthearticlesofimpeachmentchargedan indictableoffense.Yet,apparentlybecauseoftheseriousnessandextentofthecharges, theSenateconvictedArchbald.Attheconclusionofthetrial,thesuggestionofan impeachmentcommitteesurfacedonceagain.Archbaldsdefenseattorneyarguedthat manysenatorswerenotinattendancewhenevidencewastakenbeforethefullSenate, relyinginsteadontestimonyprintedintheCongressionalRecord,andrecommendedthe useofacommitteetohearevidenceinfuturetrials. In1933,theHouseJudiciaryCommitteerecommendedcensure,ratherthan impeachment,forfederaljudgeHaroldLouderbackofCalifornia.Aminorityofthe committee,however,tooktheissuetotheflooroftheHousewheretheypersuadedthat bodytoadoptfivearticlesofimpeachment,chargingLouderbackwithconspiracy,abuse ofpower,showingfavoritism,andbringingthecourtofwhichheisajudgeunto disrepute.Louderback'sSenatetrialconsumednearlyallofMay1933,duringtheFirst HundredDaysoftheNewDealera,oneofthebusiestlegislativeperiodsincongressional history.DemocratschargedRepublicanswithusingthetrialtodelayabankingreform bill,achargeRepublicansdenied.TempersintheSenatefrayedaswitnessafterwitness castdoubtonthecharges.TheSenatefinallyvotedonMay24,1933,acquitting Louderbackonallfivearticles.

TheLouderbacktrialagainbroughttotheforetheproblemofattendanceatimpeachment trialsinthemidstofabusylegislativecalendar.Afterthetrial,RepresentativeHatton SumnersofTexas,oneoftheHousemanagers,recalledthescantyattendance:"Atone timeonlythreesenatorswerepresent,andfortendayswepresentedevidencetowhat waspracticallyanemptychamber."In1934,SenatorHenryAshurstofArizona, chairmanoftheJudiciaryCommittee,offeredtheresolutionthatbecameRuleXIafterits adoptionthefollowingyear.RuleXIprovided: ThatinthetrialofanyimpeachmentthePresidingOfficeroftheSenate,iftheSenate soorders,shallappointacommitteeofsenatorstoreceiveevidenceandtaketestimony atsuchtimesandplacesasthecommitteemaydetermine... RuleXIwasnotusedinthenextimpeachmenttrial,thatofFloridadistrictjudgeHalsted Ritterin1936.Ritterwaschargedwithawiderangeofimproprietiesandmisconductthat includedpracticinglawwhileservingasajudge,filingfalseincometaxreturns,and extortion.Ritter'scounselarguedthatthejudgehadcommittednooffensethatcouldbe labeledahighcrimeormisdemeanorandwasguiltyonlyofexercising"poorjudgment." Infact,Ritterwasfound"notguilty"bynarrowmarginsonsixofsevenarticlesof impeachment,butontheseventharticlewasfoundguilty,byexactlytherequiredtwo thirdsvote.TheSenatewasputtingjudgesonnoticethatCongresswouldremovethem fromofficeifthesumtotaloftheirconductwasregardedasshowingunfitnessfor judicialoffice,commentedTheNewYorkTimes,regardlessofwhetheraspecifichigh crimeormisdemeanor,inthelanguageoftheConstitution,couldbeestablishedunder ordinaryrulesofevidence(JudgeRitterConvictedbySenate,April18,1936). Duringthesummerof1974,inthewakeoftheWatergatescandal,theSenateprepared forthepossibilityofasecondpresidentialimpeachmenttrial,astheHouseof RepresentativesmovedeverclosertoimpeachingPresidentRichardNixon.InJuly,the SenateadoptedaresolutiondirectingtheSenateCommitteeonRulesandAdministration toreviewtheexistingimpeachmentrulesandprecedentsandrecommendrevisions.The committee,aidedbySenateparliamentarianFloydRiddick,devotedlonghourstothe Senatesconstitutionalroleinimpeachmentproceedings.Thecommitteewasmeetingon August8,1974,whenPresidentNixonannouncedthathewouldresign.Despitethis unprecedentedevent,thepanelcontinuedwithitsworkunderamandatefromtheSenate tofileareportbySeptember1.Thereportcontainedrecommendationsthatwere primarilytechnicalchangesintherulesthathadbeenadoptedin1868forthe impeachmenttrialofAndrewJohnson.WiththeresignationofPresidentNixon,no furtheractionwastaken. Thecommitteesrecommendationswererevisedin1986,however,andinformedthe debatesonhowtoconductthetrialsofthreefederaljudgesbetween1986and1989.The impeachmentofHarryE.Claibornein1986finallyputintoactionRuleXI,andthe SenateestablishedaspecialtrialcommitteetohearevidenceandreporttothefullSenate. Likewise,SenatetrialcommitteesconsideredevidenceinthecasesofAlceeHastings (1989)andWalterNixon,Jr.(1989),bothofwhomwereconvictedandremovedfrom

office.Nixonchallengedtheuseofanimpeachmentcommitteeonconstitutional grounds.In1993,inthecaseUnitedStatesv.Nixon,theSupremeCourtupheldthe Senatesrighttodetermineitsownprocedures,includingtheuseofatrialcommittee. CompleteListofSenateImpeachmentTrials

Todate,theSenatehasconductedformalimpeachmentproceedings19times,resulting in7acquittals,8convictions,3dismissals,andoneresignationwithnofurtheraction. WilliamBlount,Senator DateofFinalSenateAction:January11,1799 Result:expelled,chargesdismissed _______________________________ JohnPickering,Judge DateofFinalSenateAction:March12,1804 Result:guilty,removedfromoffice _______________________________ SamuelChase,Justice DateofFinalSenateAction:March1,1805 Result:notguilty _______________________________ JamesH.Peck,Judge DateofFinalSenateAction:January31,1831 Result:notguilty _______________________________ WestH.Humphreys,Judge DateofFinalSenateAction:June26,1862 Result:guilty _______________________________ AndrewJohnson,President DateofFinalSenateAction:May16/26,1868 Result:notguilty _______________________________ MarkH.Delahay,Judge DateofFinalSenateAction:noaction Result:resigned

_______________________________ WilliamBelknap,SecretaryofWar DateofFinalSenateAction:August1,1876 Result:notguilty _______________________________ CharlesSwayne,Judge DateofFinalSenateAction:February27,1905 Result:notguilty _______________________________ RobertArchbald,Judge DateofFinalSenateAction:January13,1913 Result:guilty,removed _______________________________ GeorgeW.English,Judge DateofFinalSenateAction:December13,1926 Result:resigned,chargesdismissed _______________________________ HaroldLouderback,Judge DateofFinalSenateAction:May24,1933 Result:notguilty _______________________________ HalstedRitter,Judge DateofFinalSenateAction:April17,1936 Result:guilty,removedfromoffice _______________________________ HarryE.Claiborne,Judge DateofFinalSenateAction:October9,1986 Result:guilty,removedfromoffice _______________________________ AlceeHastings,Judge DateofFinalSenateAction:October20,1989 Result:guilty,removedfromoffice _______________________________ WalterNixon,Judge DateofFinalSenateAction:November3,1989 Result:guilty,removedfromoffice

_______________________________ WilliamJ.Clinton,President DateofFinalSenateAction:February12,1999 Result:notguilty _______________________________ SamuelB.Kent,Judge DateofFinalSenateAction:July22,2009 Result:resigned,casedismissed _______________________________ G.ThomasPorteous,Jr.,Judge DateofFinalSenateAction:December8,2010 Result:guilty,removedfromoffice