When Was Donald Trump Impeached?
The impeachment of Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, was a significant event in American political history. It was a highly contentious and divisive process that unfolded over a span of several months. In this blog post, we will delve into the details of when Donald Trump was impeached and the events surrounding his impeachment. By providing a timeline of key events, we will offer a comprehensive understanding of this crucial moment in American politics.
Understanding Impeachment
Before we dive into the specifics of Donald Trump’s impeachment, let’s first clarify the concept of impeachment itself. Impeachment is a formal process outlined in the United States Constitution, Article II, Section 4, that allows for the removal of a president from office for “high crimes and misdemeanors.” While the House of Representatives has the power to initiate impeachment proceedings, it is the Senate that conducts the trial and ultimately votes on whether to convict and remove the president.
The First Impeachment: December 2019
Donald Trump’s first impeachment stemmed from his dealings with Ukraine. On December 18, 2019, the House of Representatives voted to impeach President Trump on two articles of impeachment: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
The first article of impeachment accused Trump of pressuring Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden, a political rival, and his son Hunter Biden. It alleged that Trump had withheld military aid to Ukraine as leverage for his own personal political gain. The second article of impeachment charged Trump with obstructing Congress by blocking witnesses and documents from being brought forth during the impeachment inquiry.
Senate Trial: January-February 2020
Following his impeachment by the House, a trial was held in the Senate to determine whether Donald Trump should be convicted and removed from office. The trial commenced on January 16, 2020, with Chief Justice John Roberts presiding over the proceedings.
Over the course of several weeks, the House impeachment managers, acting as prosecutors, presented their case against Trump. They were appointed by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and included prominent members of the House of Representatives, such as Adam Schiff and Jerry Nadler.
Trump’s defense team, led by White House Counsel Pat Cipollone, argued that the charges brought against the president were politically motivated and lacked evidence of wrongdoing. They contended that Trump was within his rights to request investigations into possible corruption.
On February 5, 2020, the Senate voted on whether to acquit or convict Donald Trump on the two articles of impeachment. The outcome was as follows:
| Article of Impeachment | Vote |
|---|---|
| Abuse of Power | Acquittal: 52-48 |
| Obstruction of Congress | Acquittal: 53-47 |
The Senate fell short of the two-thirds majority required to convict and remove the president, resulting in Donald Trump’s acquittal on both articles of impeachment.
The Second Impeachment: January 2021
Donald Trump’s second impeachment came in the aftermath of the violent insurrection at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. The House of Representatives moved swiftly to hold Trump accountable for his role in inciting the riot.
On January 13, 2021, the House voted to impeach Trump on a single article of impeachment: incitement of insurrection. The article charged Trump with repeatedly making false claims about the 2020 presidential election, which culminated in his encouraging supporters to march on the Capitol and disrupt the certification of Electoral College results.
Senate Trial: February 2021
The Senate trial for Donald Trump’s second impeachment took place in February 2021. Unlike the first impeachment, Trump had already left office by the time the trial commenced. The proceedings unfolded under the watch of Senate President Pro Tempore Patrick Leahy, as Chief Justice John Roberts declined to preside over a trial for a former president.
Once again, the House impeachment managers presented their case, arguing that Trump’s words and actions directly contributed to the violence that occurred on January 6th. Trump’s defense team, led by attorneys Bruce Castor and David Schoen, contended that the trial was unconstitutional since Trump was no longer in office and that his speech was protected by the First Amendment.
On February 13, 2021, the Senate voted on whether to convict or acquit Donald Trump on the charge of incitement of insurrection. The outcome was as follows:
| Article of Impeachment | Vote |
|---|---|
| Incitement of Insurrection | Acquittal: 57-43 |
Although a majority of senators voted to convict Donald Trump, it fell short of the two-thirds majority required for conviction. Therefore, Trump was acquitted for the second time in his impeachment history.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Donald Trump was impeached twice during his presidency. The first impeachment took place in December 2019 and focused on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to his dealings with Ukraine. The Senate acquitted Trump on both articles of impeachment in February 2020. The second impeachment came in January 2021 following the Capitol insurrection and charged Trump with incitement of insurrection. Once again, the Senate acquitted him in February 2021.
Both impeachments marked significant moments in American political history, highlighting the complexity and gravity of the impeachment process. While Donald Trump’s presidency has concluded, the impact of his impeachments will undoubtedly continue to shape discussions on presidential accountability and constitutional processes.
Table of Contents
