Saturday, April 10, 2021

I is for Impeachment

This year for the A-to-Z Challenge, I'll be looking at major events that happened in 2020 [the year we would all like to forget, so let's look at it first, before flushing it down the toilet].

Welcome to I!  We're looking at – IMPEACHMENT.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Senator_Chuck_Grassley_administers_the_oath_of_office_to_Chief_Justice_John_Roberts.jpg
Impeachment is when the US House of Representatives charges a federal official with a crime.  Once charges are brought, the person is considered “impeached”.  Then the Senate conducts a trial, and finds the person guilty or not-guilty/acquitted.


Here's a list of persons who have been impeached.  Interestingly, most are federal judges.

Donald Trump was impeached on December 18, 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.  Trial was held January 16 – February 5, 2020.  He was acquitted.

Donald Trump was impeached again on January 13, 2021 for incitement of insurrection.  Trial was held February 9-13, 2021.  He was acquitted.

Before I went to law school, I thought impeachment meant the person was found guilty.  It surprised me that it only meant charges were filed.  What about you?  Let us know in the comments [please be civil].

Here's a teaser for Monday, letter J:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jury_box_in_the_courtroom_of_the_Van_Buren_County_Courthouse_in_Clinton,_Arkansas.jpg

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11 comments:

  1. Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork AppliquéApril 10, 2021 at 9:23 AM

    Ah, very interesting question! I find very frustrating that Justice is not what a citizen can think it is.
    J... for juries?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dena PawlingApril 11, 2021 at 8:44 AM

      You're right. It is interesting that justice can mean different things to different people.

      Delete
  2. Iain KellyApril 10, 2021 at 11:31 AM

    J for Jury, I think. As for Trump and his impeachments, well, he managed to somehow get away with it both times. Partisan politics can be really awful.
    https://iainkellywriting.com/2021/04/10/the-state-trilogy-a-z-guide-i/

    ReplyDelete
  3. Craig FApril 10, 2021 at 3:00 PM

    Way back in the last millennia, I was taught, in Civics, that impeachment was a big deal, both parts of it.

    Then Clinton became President and impeachment became something else.

    The impeachments of Trump were something from Ringling Brothers. I hope people remember that in future elections.

    ReplyDelete
  4. JanetApril 11, 2021 at 2:43 PM

    I guessed impeachment. I think it should mean convicted, especially if it's passed twice! J looks like jury.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gail M Baugniet - AuthorApril 11, 2021 at 6:49 PM

    Not sure I understood the benefit of an impeachment trial or what happens if the person is found guilty of charges, especially a sitting president.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dena PawlingApril 17, 2021 at 12:01 PM

      If found guilty, the person [president] is removed from office. Doesn't make too much sense if he's already gone tho.

      Delete
  6. AJ BlytheApril 13, 2021 at 3:04 AM

    We don't have that in Australia, so it all seems a bit weird to me. I know there were lots of cries of impeachment when it came to Trump, but I really don't understand what it means.

    ReplyDelete

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