What is impeachment and how does it work?
An impeachment in the House leads to a trial in the Senate. A president is not removed from office unless the Senate votes to do so.
10 facts to know. nbcnews.to/36oGNiP
An impeachment in the House leads to a trial in the Senate. A president is not removed from office unless the Senate votes to do so.
10 facts to know. nbcnews.to/36oGNiP
1. What constitutes an impeachable offense?
The founders intentionally kept the term "high crimes and misdemeanors" vague, because impeachment is meant to be a political act, not a legal one.
More: nbcnews.to/36oGNiP
The founders intentionally kept the term "high crimes and misdemeanors" vague, because impeachment is meant to be a political act, not a legal one.
More: nbcnews.to/36oGNiP
2. How is the Trump investigation different from what happened with Clinton? nbcnews.to/36oGNiP
3. Must House pass resolution to officially launch impeachment investigation?
Constitution imposes no such requirement, and House rules don't either, even though authorizing resolutions were passed in each of 3 previous pres. impeachment efforts.
More: nbcnews.to/36oGNiP
Constitution imposes no such requirement, and House rules don't either, even though authorizing resolutions were passed in each of 3 previous pres. impeachment efforts.
More: nbcnews.to/36oGNiP
4. Would passing a resolution give Congress authority to get grand jury material, such as evidence gathered during the Mueller investigation?
Not necessarily. A fight over this issue is now in federal court, and the House won the first round.
More: nbcnews.to/36oGNiP
Not necessarily. A fight over this issue is now in federal court, and the House won the first round.
More: nbcnews.to/36oGNiP
5. Do the president’s lawyers get to participate in the House impeachment hearings?
There is no requirement for such an accommodation to the president's lawyers. But that's not how it has worked before.
More: nbcnews.to/36oGNiP
There is no requirement for such an accommodation to the president's lawyers. But that's not how it has worked before.
More: nbcnews.to/36oGNiP
6. Must the Senate hold a trial, or can it simply sit on the House articles of impeachment?
The Constitution simply says the Senate has "the sole power to try all impeachments." Senate rules suggest that it's a duty, not an option.
More: nbcnews.to/36oGNiP
The Constitution simply says the Senate has "the sole power to try all impeachments." Senate rules suggest that it's a duty, not an option.
More: nbcnews.to/36oGNiP
7. How does a Senate trial work?
The Constitution lays out only three requirements.
More: nbcnews.to/36oGNiP
The Constitution lays out only three requirements.
More: nbcnews.to/36oGNiP
8. What is the role of the US Supreme Court chief justice?
It's limited. Former Chief Justice William Rehnquist described it this way: "I did nothing in particular, and I did it very well."
More: nbcnews.to/36oGNiP
It's limited. Former Chief Justice William Rehnquist described it this way: "I did nothing in particular, and I did it very well."
More: nbcnews.to/36oGNiP
9. Could a president pardon himself if he's impeached?
No. The same constitutional provision that gives the president power "to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States" adds this phrase: "except in cases of impeachment."
More: nbcnews.to/36oGNiP
No. The same constitutional provision that gives the president power "to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States" adds this phrase: "except in cases of impeachment."
More: nbcnews.to/36oGNiP
10. What would happen if the Senate convicted Trump?
He would be immediately removed from office, triggering the 25th Amendment. VP Pence would become president, and Pence would nominate someone to succeed him as VP.
More: nbcnews.to/36oGNiP
He would be immediately removed from office, triggering the 25th Amendment. VP Pence would become president, and Pence would nominate someone to succeed him as VP.
More: nbcnews.to/36oGNiP
