📚 Quick Study Guide: Impeachment & Removal Power
- 🏛️ Definition: Impeachment is the formal accusation of a federal official by the House of Representatives. Removal from office requires a conviction by the Senate.
- ⚖️ Grounds: Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution states officials can be impeached for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."
- 🏡 House Role: The House of Representatives has the sole power of impeachment. A simple majority vote is required to impeach.
- 🧑⚖️ Senate Role: The Senate has the sole power to try all impeachments. The Chief Justice presides when the President is tried. A two-thirds majority vote of senators present is required for conviction and removal.
- 🚫 Consequences: Upon conviction, the official is removed from office. The Senate may also vote to disqualify them from holding any future federal office. Criminal prosecution is separate and can follow.
- 📜 Officials Subject: The President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the United States (e.g., federal judges, cabinet secretaries) can be impeached. Members of Congress are typically disciplined by their respective chambers, not impeached.
- 🇺🇸 Historical Context: Three U.S. Presidents have been impeached by the House (Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump twice), but none have been convicted by the Senate and removed from office. Richard Nixon resigned before impeachment proceedings could be completed.
🧠 Practice Quiz: Impeachment AP Gov
Which body of the U.S. government has the sole power to impeach a federal official?
A. The Supreme Court
B. The Senate
C. The House of Representatives
D. The President
What vote is required in the House of Representatives to impeach a federal official?
A. A two-thirds majority vote
B. A simple majority vote
C. A three-fifths majority vote
D. A unanimous vote
Who presides over an impeachment trial in the Senate when the President of the United States is being tried?
A. The Vice President
B. The Speaker of the House
C. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
D. The President Pro Tempore of the Senate
What is the constitutional threshold for conviction and removal of an impeached official in the Senate?
A. A simple majority vote
B. A three-fifths majority vote
C. A two-thirds majority vote of members present
D. A unanimous vote of members present
According to the U.S. Constitution, which of the following is NOT explicitly listed as a ground for impeachment?
A. Treason
B. Bribery
C. Misdemeanors
D. Negligence in office
Which of the following federal officials can be impeached and removed from office?
A. Only the President
B. Only the President and Vice President
C. The President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the United States
D. All elected federal officials, including members of Congress
Historically, how many U.S. Presidents have been convicted by the Senate and removed from office after being impeached by the House?
A. Zero
B. One
C. Two
D. Three
Click to see Answers
1. C
2. B
3. C
4. C
5. D
6. C
7. A