Explainers/Constitution
Impeachment and removal
The House charges, the Senate tries, and the two steps have very different vote thresholds.
4 min read|Updated July 27, 2026
Impeachment is an accusation, not a removal. The House impeaches by simple majority on articles alleging treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. The Senate then holds a trial, and conviction requires two-thirds of senators present. No president has been removed by the Senate.
- House vote to impeach
- Simple majority
- Senate vote to convict
- Two-thirds of those present
- Presidents impeached
- Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump twice
- Presidents removed
- None
Who can be impeached?
The president, vice president, and all civil officers of the United States, which includes cabinet secretaries and federal judges. Most impeachments in American history have involved federal judges, and eight judges have been convicted and removed.
What counts as an impeachable offense?
The Constitution lists treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. The phrase is not defined further, and there is no requirement that the conduct be a statutory crime. In practice each chamber decides for itself what meets the standard, and the question is political as much as legal.
How does the Senate trial work?
House members serve as managers presenting the case. The Senate sits as a court, with the chief justice presiding when the president is the defendant. Senators do not speak during arguments and vote separately on each article. Conviction on any single article is enough to remove.
What happens after conviction?
Removal from office is automatic. The Senate may hold a separate vote, requiring only a simple majority, to disqualify the person from holding future federal office. Impeachment carries no criminal penalty, and a convicted official remains subject to ordinary prosecution.