impeachment

Impeachment is a formal process by which a public official is charged with misconduct and may be removed from office. It is used in many democracies as a constitutional mechanism to address abuses of power, corruption, or other high offenses. Impeachment is generally political rather than a criminal procedure, and its outcomes are determined by legislative bodies rather than juries.

In the United States, impeachment is defined in the Constitution. The House of Representatives initiates impeachment by approving articles of impeachment, typically by a simple majority. The Senate conducts a trial, with the Chief Justice presiding in presidential cases. Conviction requires a two-thirds vote in the Senate, and removal from office follows. The Senate may also hold a separate vote to bar the individual from holding future federal office. The process is designed to remove only from office, though some jurisdictions allow additional penalties or disqualifications.

Grounds for impeachment vary by country but generally include treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. Practices differ in initiation, evidence standards, and the thresholds for conviction. Impeachment can proceed even if criminal charges are or are not filed, and outcomes may depend on political considerations as well as legal ones.

Notable examples include the United States, where presidents Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump have been impeached (two impeached presidents were removed by impeachment or later actions in most cases); several other countries have also used impeachment or similar mechanisms to remove heads of state. In practice, impeachment institutions aim to balance accountability with democratic processes.