US President Donald Trump impeachment

US President Donald Trump's impeachment

Syllabus subtopic: Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries

Prelims and Mains focus: the process of impeachment of US President and its comparison with the process for Indian President’s impeachment

News: The impeachment of President Donald Trump in the U.S. House of Representatives on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress sets the stage for a historic trial next month in the Republican controlled Senate on whether he should be removed from office.

What next?

Mr Trump is certain to face more friendly terrain during a trial in the 100 member Senate, where a vote to remove him would require a twothirds majority.

Mr Trump, who is seeking another fouryear term in the November 2020 presidential election, has denied wrongdoing and called the impeachment inquiry launched by Pelosi in September a ‘witch hunt’.

What is Impeachment?

Impeachment is a provision that allows Congress to remove the President of the United States.

US Constitution provides:

The House of Representatives (Lower House) has “the sole power of impeachment” while the Senate (Upper House) has “the sole power to try all impeachments”.
The Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court has the duty of presiding over impeachment trials in the Senate.

Grounds for impeachment:

The President can be removed from office for “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanours”.
Essentially, it means an abuse of power by a high-level public official. This does not necessarily have to be a violation of an ordinary criminal statute. Historically, in the US, it has encompassed corruption and other abuses, including trying to obstruct judicial proceedings.

The process:

It begins with an investigation by a House committee. If they find that there is enough evidence of wrongdoing, it will refer the matter to the full House.

House Voting: When the full House votes, if one or more of the articles of impeachment gets a majority vote, the President is impeached. Next, the proceedings move to the Senate.

Senate trial and voting: The Senate holds a trial, overseen by the chief justice of the Supreme Court. A team of lawmakers from the House, known as managers, play the role of prosecutors. The President has defence lawyers, and the Senate serves as the jury. If at least two-thirds of the Senators present to find the President guilty, he is removed and the Vice President takes over as President.

Source: The Hindu

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