What Is Impeachment?
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (112717)
United States
December 21, 2019 8:04am CST
I feel it is important to educate SOME on what impeachment is, since there happens to be a LOT of people who are confused by it.
Impeachment is NOT the removal of a president. In fact, out of the past two impeachments, no president has been removed from office. In both cases, Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, they were acquitted in the Senate and not removed from office. Both continued to serve.
What is impeachment? It is simply a fancy word to mean "accuse," or "bring charges." That's all it means. It is not much different than a cop saying, "I clocked you driving 10 miles over the speed limit." It's a claim, a charge, but a court still must CONVICT you of the charge.
It's a big word that people see as a huge deal, and it is, BUT it does not mean removal. That is the decision of the JURY, which happens to be the Senate.
And as of right now it would appear that Trump has not officially been impeached—although that is being debated.
Why?
Because the "charges" have not been brought before the Senate. Look at it this way. The police can arrest you and charge you with a crime. But if they do not bring those charges to a prosecutor...
You can never be CONVICTED of said crime. According to the record, the crime never existed.
9 people like this
9 responses
@antonbunot (11146)
• Calgary, Alberta
21 Dec 19
@porwest So, if Pelosi does not hand her "phony charges" on the president to the senate (court), it is nothing but allegations! Stupid democrats! I understand that before the president's inauguration, they, the democrats, were already talking about impeaching him! They really hate him!
@porwest (112717)
• United States
21 Dec 19
Wasn't really looking for an opinion or comment per se. Just wanted to make sure people know what the word impeachment means. Many people think it is more than what it really is, and that's just charges.
I could go before a group of people and say "I think Alfredo wears women's clothing." They all agree with me and we vote to accuse you of wearing women's clothing. You have been impeached. NOW I must go before another body to PROVE what I have accused you of.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
21 Dec 19
So many do not understand this.
2 people like this
@antonbunot (11146)
• Calgary, Alberta
21 Dec 19
@porwest I wish Maxine Waters come across your article; she seems not understand it, too. . hahaha
2 people like this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
21 Dec 19
@antonbunot Oh God. She is a complete kook. lol. She can provide hours of entertainment though. And then you wonder...what kind of an idiot actually VOTES for her? 
2 people like this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
21 Dec 19
Opinions don't matter. Only the facts. But you are right. He will not be removed. I just wanted to make sure that everyone knew that the word 'impeachment' is just a fancy way to say 'charges were brought.' It is important because most people understand that many people are charged, but have not done anything.
1 person likes this
@AKRao24 (27422)
• India
21 Dec 19
Yes, I agree with you many people may get confused with the term ...when I have referrred the dictionary I got the following answer - "Impeachment is a charge of misconduct made against the holder of a public office." From which it is clear that it is an allegatio or the charge which requires to be proved before any further action can be taken against the man holding the public office!
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
2 Feb 20
In my language, Trump has been "impeached," but he has not been "convicted." The GOP-controlled Senate will vote 51-49 not to remove him, and life will go on. My question is this: What if one more Republican "goes all moral" and votes to remove. If it's 50-50, what happens?
1 person likes this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
5 Feb 20
The requirement in the Senate to remove the president is 67 votes. There is NO WAY they will get to that number no matter how this goes down. The votes just won't add up. As for what happens if it becomes a 50-50 vote, that is a very interesting question. I don't have a clue. But I think acquittal is almost guaranteed.
It is interesting to note that out of the first three impeachments, not a single president was removed from office. However, Nixon WOULD have been. His resignation essentially came as a result of the party leaders going to the president and essentially telling him he had lost all support from the party and would, without question, be convicted. He of course resigned before that could happen.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222266)
• United States
21 Dec 19
It will be interesting to see what the Senate does.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222266)
• United States
22 Dec 19
@porwest I've heard from many that the Senate will acquit.
1 person likes this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
21 Dec 19
What the Senate will do is clear. The Senate was created to create stability in government. They will acquit the president. There is no question. Of all of the branches of government, the Senate has always been the body that tends to get it right. Not always. But mostly. Even when the republicans LED the Senate and Clinton's impeachment was brought to them, the REPUBLICANS voted to acquit.
1 person likes this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
22 Dec 19
@LindaOHio The Senate most certainly will.
1 person likes this
