Impeachment and the US government



Abstract

In this study we try to explore impeachments in the context of the United States of America. The main focus of the research is on the notions related to the impeachments and the cases which have seen the impeachments in the recorded history of USA.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Introduction1

Discussion1

Modus Operandi3

Responsibility4

The Practice of Impeachment4

Andrew Johnson5

Richard Nixon5

Bill Clinton6

Rod Blagojevich6

My Interpretation7

References9

Impeachment and the US government

Introduction

Impeachment tends to be defined as the procedure to remove an individual from a government rank. Impeachment tends to surface in case of a senior or a high profile government official who needs to be removed. As per the limitations laid down in the constitution, impeachment can only be pulled off on the grounds of serious criminal charges. However, in different countries the term 'Impeachment' only tends to be linked with the position of the head of state. The concept originated in England in the fourteenth century as an instrument of struggle against the tyranny of the royal favorites: then the House of Commons has arrogated to itself the right to give the royal ministers on trial of the House of Lords, whereas previously this right belonged only to the king (Brown, 2010). The concept related to impeachment tends to be stringed with the notions of creating a check and balance. Whereas, many experts tends to be of the view that impeachment is the right of the individual who tends to elect their representative, which in the course of this paper tends to be the head of state or President. In the course of the paper we intend to shed light on the notion of impeachment as present in the US Constitution. It would be done through different perspectives in order to develop an effective and efficient understanding of the subject.

Discussion

Before moving further in the context of the paper it is important to understand the grounds form where the term 'Impeachment' originated. As indicated earlier that Impeachment was first used in the English context. The procedure for nominating community criminal charges before the Lords was deciphered as 'Impeachment'. Moreover, the fact needs to be understood that impeachment in the strict sense is only a first step in the procedure of impeachment on a criminal charge. In the modern world, impeachment is linked to the whole process of detachment. In the pretext of the U.S. Constitution, the nature of the laws tends to provide a chance to remove an officer by framing the accusation or a set of accusations in the House of Representatives and then convicted by a qualified majority. Qualified majority in terms of the US Constitution tends to be interpreted as two thirds of the Senate. The procedure is applicable for the removal of the President of the United States, some federal officials and judges. However, the only exception tends to be applicable to the tenure of judges.

Removal from office by the Senate also tends to have a long term effects as it bars an individual to acquire positions in the federal service of ...