CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The media is filled with headlines about the impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump.
Lawmakers have weighed in about the possible impeachment proceedings.
In a statement issued by Congressman Mark Green (R):
“Over the past nine months, Speaker Pelosi and her Democrat committee chairs have turned every committee they could into an investigations committee. Ways and Means, Financial Services, Intelligence, Oversight, Judiciary—nearly every Democrat committee chairman is investigating some aspect of the President.”
“Democrats failed to make the case for impeachment with the Mueller investigation, and Democrats failed to make the case for impeachment with each of their other investigations. They’ve been in charge for nearly a year and have nothing to show for it. Instead of trying to impeach the President, let’s get to work for the American people.”
Tennessee lawmakers also took a stance, including Representative Jay Reedy (R):
“This impeachment inquiry is the latest in a series of feeble attempts by DC Democrats to undo the 2016 election, and it is time for them to end their absurd political witch hunt. I continue to support our President, and it is long past time to put an end to partisan gamesmanship in Washington and get back to focusing on addressing the needs of the citizens of this great nation.”
While the general idea of impeachment is understood by most Americans, the process and required proceeding surrounding impeachment are something most Americans do not remember from their civics class.
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Dr. Kevin Baron, Austin Peay State University political science professor and an expert on presidential power and congressional oversight explains what impeachment actually means and how the process works.
What is Impeachment?
Impeachment is not a legal mechanism but exists as Congress’s final check on the executive.
The House of Representatives opened an official impeachment inquiry, which then provides them the ability to investigate in order to make a case for impeachment. They can create a special committee like they did with Bill Clinton in the 1990s or allow the standing committees (Judiciary, Intelligence and Oversight) to continue their investigation.
What happens at an impeachment inquiry?
The House operates like a prosecutor in a trial, they are going to gather evidence of any wrongdoing that could warrant impeachment and then make a case for it.
If they decide there is enough evidence to warrant impeachment, they will introduce articles of impeachment. These are specific charges of wrongdoing on behalf of the president that the house believes warrant removal from office, essentially making the case for impeachment.
If the House votes to pass the articles of impeachment (any articles of impeachment will probably face a vote first in the Judiciary Committee prior to a floor vote in the House), then the president is impeached.
If the president is impeached is he removed from office?
The Constitution gives the House the power of impeachment, but impeachment is not removal.
Again, as with Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, both were impeached but neither were removed. If the House impeaches, then a trial must be held in the Senate, and that trial is presided over by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
The Senate cannot avoid the trial, if articles of impeachment pass the House, the Senate must by the Constitution hold the trial.
If President Trump is impeached what will happen next?
Impeachment is only half the process, but removal requires two-thirds of the Senate to vote. If they do, it only means the president is no longer president, there is no legal ramifications to impeachment.
Chief Justice Roberts will preside over the Senate trial, not Senator Mitch McConnell. The Senate will weigh the charges and all the House evidence, and they can also gather their own evidence as they choose. Once they feel they have enough information and have deliberated enough, Roberts will call for a vote.
If the Senate votes by a two-thirds majority (67 Senators) to convict, then the president is removed from office. If they fail to gain the 67 votes, then the president stays in office. If convicted and removed from office, the president will never again be able to hold office.
If articles of impeachment aren’t found what happens?
The impeachment inquiry will end with the House deciding either there is evidence to warrant the introduction of articles of impeach or not. If they choose not to do it, then it goes away, and nothing formally happens aside from the political fallout.
How long does an impeachment inquiry last?
An impeachment inquiry can last a long time.
It really depends on the situation. With this current situation, Dr. Baron estimates it will be months before the House has gathered enough evidence to make a decision on impeachment.
“In fact,” said Dr. Baron, “I would be surprised if there was any decision before next years election. Due to the serious nature of an impeachment inquiry, and its rarity, the House will move slowly in gathering information and holding hearings. While the inquiry could be quick, I don’t think we will see that here. With Nixon, Congress was investigating a year and a half before they decided to move forward with impeachment.”