Impeachment Cases in History

1. Impeachment Cases in History • “Impeachment—”To be brought to Trial” • The Impeachment Process is the means by which elected officials can be removed from their office.

2. Duties In Impeachment: • How Does The System Work? • Each Branch of the Government is involved. • A Two-Thirds Vote is needed in each portion of the process • In the end, a trial is needed to decide two main points: 1) Impeach or not • 2) Remove or not

3. Branches of Government at Work: • Three Branches Working together: • Executive Branch: President and Cabinet • Legislative Branch: House and Senate • Judicial Branch: Courts • “A system of checks and balances”

4. Duties of our Government: • Chief Justice: Presides over impeachment hearing and trial. • House of Reps: Acts as the prosecutor—they will decide on impeachment. • Senate: They will act as the Jury in the trial to remove the official.

5. What are they looking for? • Articles of Impeachment: • Laws against the Constitution that were broken. • The more you have, the better your case. • In each of the three cases we look at we’ll discuss the crimes, or “articles of impeachment” against each.

6. Presidential Impeachments: • How Many Have We Had? • The Presidents: • Andrew Johnson—1867 • Richard Nixon—1974 • Bill Clinton—1999 • What Has Been The Outcome?

7. The different Cases: • Andrew Johnson—1867 • First Presidential Case in History • Stemmed from issues surrounding Reconstruction and the Civil War • Would have changed history forever if the outcome of trial different. • We’ll look at this case last.

8. More Recent Case Studies: • Richard Nixon—1974

9. Richard Nixon and “Watergate” • Watergate Hotel Break-in was June of 1972 • Election was in November of 1972 • Controversy of Break-in ran wild for over two years. • Ends with Nixon’s resignation

10. Nixon Background: • VP for Eisenhower in the 1950’s • Ran against JFK in 1960—Had the election won until the end—”TV Debates” • Leaves politics—home to California • Talked into running again in 1968 • Would not have won in 1968 if not for the assassination of RFK

11. Nixon Notes • War in Vietnam a huge issue in campaign • Nixon wants, “Peace with Honor” • Promises removal of troops from Vietnam • War winding down leading into the election of 1972 • Nixon is the overwhelming favorite

12. Nixon Notes • Election of 1972—Democrats self destructing. Republicans knew their every move. • Top Democratic candidates all seem to fall apart once they gain any momentum. • In the end, George McGovern from SD ends up being the top candidate for Dem’s. • Then comes the “Watergate Break-in”

13. Watergate Break-in: • June 1972 • Break in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters. • How they are caught: • Years that follow are trouble for Nixon—starts with Spiro Agnew • Adds Gerald Ford as VP

15. Who was involved? • Washington Post Reporters in Court following a drug case. • “Woodward and Berstein” • Notice White House Lawyers in same courtroom pleading out case for burglars. • Election of 1972 goes off without notice—Nixon vs. McGovern from SD!

16. Reporters follow their leads: • “CREEP”—Committee to re-elect the President—Headed up by former Attn. General John Mitchell. • “Deep Throat”—inside source • Evidence Follows up the chain of command all the way to Nixon. • Two years of trials, hearings, firings, Top White House people going to Jail.

17. End For Nixon • White House Tapes ordered to court • Nixon at first refuses—finally gives them up—18 minutes missing. • “Saturday Night Massacre” Nixon fires top aids and prosecutor Archibald Cox. • Impeachment rumored on Capital Hill. • Multiple Articles of Impeachment argued—as many as 17 different charges pending against Nixon. • Resigns August 1974.

18. Speech • YouTube - President Richard Nixon - Address Announcing Resignation

20. Post Watergate: • Gerald Ford as President—Nelson Rockefeller as VP • Ford pardons all Nixon crimes—there is no trial of Nixon. • America struggles in Post Vietnam economy and time. • Ford defeated by Jimmy Carter in 1976—mainly b/c of issues related to Nixon pardon, and post war problems.

21. Clinton Impeachment • “Whitewater” • Whitewater, not Watergate! • Investigation into improper actions while as Governor of Arkansas. • Hillary and Bill Clinton involved. • Question was—Who all is involved, and to what degree?

22. Bill Clinton Background:

23. Whitewater Case • After being elected in 1992, investigation starts in 1994 about improper activity. • “Whitewater” land company. • Improper/Insider holdings while as Governor.

24. Congress Moves to Investigate: • Appoints: Ken Starr • Deep investigation into all issues while as Governor. • Government paid for investigation. • Keep in mind—JFK shooting, Warren Commission—Zero Government funds • Starr committee spent Millions of dollars to investigate!

25. What did he find? • No evidence of wrong doing in Whitewater. • Deals were made, no evidence against Bill or Hillary. • Did find questions of sexual misconduct while as Governor. • Starr starts to dig.

26. Starr uncovers Monica Lewinsky

27. Starr’s Report: • Has Lewinsky on tape admitting affair. • Clinton denies misconduct in front of Grand Jury. • Starr breaks the case • Government moves toward impeachment

28. Articles of Impeachment • Two Articles of Impeachment • 1) Lying under oath • 2) Obstruction of Justice.

29. Clinton Impeached! • Goes to Trial for Removal: Need Two Thirds vote for removal: 67/100 Get 50/100 on one vote Get 41/100 on the other Clinton stays as President

30. Whitewater Final Story: • Starr commission fades away • Clinton finishes out 2nd term • Record popularity rating—near 75% of all Americans