Senate impeachment trial of Bill Clinton

Senate impeachment trial of Bill Clinton. The trial of President Bill Clinton in the United States Senate was a pivotal event in modern American political history, stemming from charges passed by the United States House of Representatives. Conducted over five weeks in early 1999, it was only the second impeachment trial of a sitting President of the United States, following that of Andrew Johnson. The proceedings, presided over by Chief Justice William Rehnquist, centered on allegations of perjury and obstruction of justice related to the Lewinsky scandal and the earlier Paula Jones lawsuit, ultimately resulting in acquittal on both articles.

Background

The origins of the trial lie in the Whitewater controversy, an independent counsel investigation initially led by Robert Fiske and later taken over by Kenneth Starr. Starr's probe expanded to examine President Clinton's relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky and whether he committed perjury during a deposition in the Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit. The Starr Report, submitted to the House in September 1998, detailed explicit allegations and formed the basis for impeachment inquiries. This occurred amidst a highly partisan atmosphere, with the Republican Party controlling Congress and the Democratic Party holding the White House.

Impeachment by the House of Representatives

The House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Henry Hyde, held hearings and approved four articles of impeachment in December 1998. On December 19, the full House voted largely along party lines. Two articles were approved: Article I, for perjury before the grand jury investigating the Lewinsky scandal, and Article III, for obstruction of justice related to the Paula Jones case. Articles II and IV, concerning other perjury and abuse of power charges, were defeated. This made Clinton only the second president, after Andrew Johnson, to be impeached by the House of Representatives.

Senate trial

The trial formally opened on January 7, 1999, in the United States Senate Chamber with Chief Justice William Rehnquist presiding. Thirteen House managers, led by Henry Hyde, acted as prosecutors presenting the case from the House of Representatives. The president's defense team included White House Counsel Charles Ruff, David Kendall, and former United States Senator Dale Bumpers. A pivotal early vote defeated a motion to dismiss the trial, but the Senate later agreed to depose only three witnesses—Monica Lewinsky, Vernon Jordan, and Sidney Blumenthal—via videotape, rather than having them testify in open session.

Verdict and aftermath

On February 12, 1999, the Senate concluded deliberations and voted on the two articles of impeachment. A two-thirds majority (67 votes) was required for conviction. On Article I (perjury), the vote was 45 for conviction and 55 for acquittal. On Article III (obstruction of justice), the vote was 50 for conviction and 50 for acquittal. No Democrat voted guilty on either article, while several Republicans, including Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, voted for acquittal. President Clinton was therefore acquitted and remained in office, having already delivered the 1999 State of the Union Address during the trial.

Reactions and legacy

Public opinion, as measured by Gallup and other polls, consistently showed majority opposition to Clinton's removal throughout the ordeal. The trial intensified partisan divisions but was also criticized by figures like Senator Robert Byrd for debasing the solemn constitutional process. In its aftermath, President Clinton faced fines and a suspension of his Arkansas law license following a contempt citation by Judge Susan Webber Wright. The event influenced subsequent political dynamics, including the 2000 United States presidential election, and set precedents for the investigation of sitting presidents, foreshadowing later controversies involving the Office of the Independent Counsel and future impeachment inquiries.

Category:1999 in American politics Category:Impeachment in the United States Category:Bill Clinton