Impeachment Trivia Quiz

Answer: The first of two stages for a legislative body to remove a government official from office

'Impeachment' is often confused as meaning to involuntarily remove a government official from office, but it is the first stage and is just the legal charges (similar to indictment in criminal law). The second stage is called conviction, and if an official is impeached they will then face a second legislative vote for conviction.

Answer: House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is one of two chambers of the United States Congress; the other is the Senate. Each state has at least one representative in the house, the number of representatives is determined by its population. Each representative serves for a two-year term and can be re-elected unlimited times.

After an official is impeached by the House of Representatives, then the United States Senate has sole power to try all impeachments (conviction).

Answer: True

Treason is the crime of disloyalty to one's nation. If a government official betrays their own nation or is disloyal to their nation they can be impeached.

Answer: True

Bribery is the crime of giving a gift (and the receiving of the gift) in order to change the actions of somebody in power.

Answer: Yes

The constitution states in Article II, Section 4: "The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors."
High crime generally means a crime against the state, as in overthrowing the country, or also altering the outcome of elections. The constitution does not give a legal definition of 'high crimes and misdemeanors' and it has come to the power of Congress and whatever it thinks constitutes an impeachable offense.
In 1970, then-Representative Gerald R. Ford defined the criteria as he saw it: "An impeachable offense is whatever a majority of the House of Representatives considers it to be at a given moment in history."

Answer: No

The House Judiciary Committee did approve articles of impeachment against Richard Nixon, but Nixon resigned before the impeachment proceedings concluded.

Answer: Andrew Johnson

Andrew Johnson was impeached in 1868 for violating the 'Tenure of Office Act'. He was then acquitted by the Senate (meaning the Senate found him not guilty).

Answer: Yes

Bill Clinton was impeached on December 19, 1998 by the House of Representatives for 'perjury', and 'obstruction of justice'. He was not impeached for 'abuse of power', although that was an article against him in the House of Representatives. Bill Clinton was then acquitted by the Senate (meaning the Senate found him not guilty).

Answer: The defendant is automatically removed from office

Following impeachment, a two-thirds majority of the Senate would have to vote 'guilty' in order for the President, Vice President, or civil officer to be convicted. Conviction automatically removes the defendant from office. Following conviction, the Senate may vote to further punish the individual by barring them from holding future federal office (either elected or appointed).
If a two-thirds majority of the Senate does not vote 'guilty', the individual is acquitted and no further action is taken.

Answer: Chief Justice of the United States

The vice president, who is the 'President of the Senate', would normally preside over impeachment trials. If the president is impeached, the Chief Justice of the United States, who is the head of the U.S. Supreme Court, presides. The 17th Chief Justice as appointed by George W. Bush in 2005 is John Roberts. (Note that the Chief Justice is appointed by the President).
The President pro tempore acts in the role of President of the Senate if the Vice President is absent. He is a constitutionally recognized officer of the Senate. In Latin, the 'pro tempore' means 'for the time being'.