Lawmakers Vote to Impeach President Trump

On Wednesday, January 13, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump. Impeachment is the first step in a process that can result in a president’s removal from office. 

What led to this major decision by the House? And what will happen next? Here’s what you need to know to understand the situation. 

Impeachment takes place when the House of Representatives charges the president or another U.S. government official with breaking the law or behaving improperly (for example, purposely endangering the country or using his or her position for personal benefit).

Only the House can impeach someone. If U.S. representatives believe a president or another official has done something wrong, they write up one or more formal charges. These are called articles of impeachment. Then all 435 members of the House vote on each article. If more than half of the representatives support any article, the person is impeached. 

The Framers of the Constitution wanted to make sure presidents wouldn’t abuse their power. Before the American Revolution (1775-1783), the colonists had been ruled harshly by the king of England. They were worried about giving one person too much power. So they divided the federal government into three branches that each have the ability to check, or limit, one another’s power (see “A Balance of Power,” below). 

The power of impeachment was given to Congress, which makes up the legislative branch of government. Trump’s impeachment represents a check on the executive branch, which includes the president and people under the president who carry out federal laws. Congress has impeached only three presidents in U.S. history—including Trump in 2019. None were convicted (found guilty).  

No. Trump has been formally accused of doing something wrong. He would be removed from office only if he is found guilty. Under the Constitution, an impeached president must face trial in the U.S. Senate. Lawmakers from the House of Representatives present the case against the president. The president’s personal lawyers defend him or her. The senators act as the jury. If at least two-thirds of the Senate—67 senators out of 100—vote that the president is guilty, he or she is removed from office and is no longer president. If he or she is found not guilty, the president can finish out the term. 

Experts say it is unlikely that Trump’s impeachment trial will begin before his presidential term ends on January 20. On that day, Inauguration Day, former Vice President Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th U.S. president. 

So what was the point of impeaching Trump if his presidency is almost over? The majority of representatives in the House, including all Democrats and a small group of Republicans, say it is important to hold him accountable for his actions. If Trump is found guilty, the Senate could also vote to prevent him from ever holding office again. (He is said to be considering another presidential run in 2024.)  

Still, the trial’s outcome is uncertain, experts say. Two-thirds of senators would need to agree that Trump is guilty for him to be convicted. Some senators have spoken out against putting Trump on trial—especially if it takes place after his term has ended. They say the country is already divided enough and convicting Trump would only make the situation worse. But other senators say it is crucial to send a clear message to Trump, future U.S. presidents, and the rest of the world that actions by a president to encourage violence will not be tolerated.