List Of Impeached US Presidents - A Look

30 Jun, 2025

When we talk about the highest office in the land, it is easy to think of presidents as figures beyond the reach of everyday accountability. Yet, the American system of governance has a way of keeping even its most powerful leaders in check. There are moments when the actions of a president come under such intense scrutiny that it leads to a formal accusation of wrongdoing by the House of Representatives. This process, known as impeachment, stands as a serious step in our nation's history, a way to address alleged misconduct.

This process is, in a way, a very powerful tool meant to uphold the integrity of the presidency and the rule of law. It is not something that happens often, but when it does, it captures the attention of the whole country and, you know, really shows how the different parts of government are supposed to keep each other balanced. The idea behind it is pretty straightforward: if a president commits what are called "high crimes and misdemeanors," there's a path to address those actions and, if needed, remove them from their position.

For many, the idea of a president facing such a serious charge feels quite distant, like something from a history book. But, as a matter of fact, it has happened, and understanding these instances helps us grasp a bit more about the system we live under. It sheds light on how our government is designed to operate, even when things get really tough. So, let's take a look at the presidents who have, in fact, found themselves on the list of impeached US presidents.

What Does Impeachment Mean for a US President?
A look at the process for a president's impeachment
Who Has Been on the list of impeached us presidents?
Andrew Johnson's Story
Bill Clinton's Situation
Donald Trump's Appearances on the list of impeached us presidents
How Does Impeachment Affect a President's Legacy?
The lasting impact of the list of impeached us presidents
Are There Other Ways a President Can Be Removed?

What Does Impeachment Mean for a US President?

When someone speaks about a president facing impeachment, it is pretty common for folks to wonder what that truly means. It is not the same as being removed from office right away. Think of impeachment as the first big step, like a formal accusation. It is the House of Representatives, one part of our Congress, that has the job of bringing these charges. They act a bit like a grand jury, deciding if there is enough reason to move forward with a trial. If the House decides to vote for impeachment, it means they believe the president has committed actions that warrant a serious look by the other part of Congress, the Senate.

The charges themselves are called "articles of impeachment." These articles spell out the specific wrongdoings the president is accused of. These are not just any missteps; the Constitution mentions "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." What counts as a "high Crime or Misdemeanor" is something that has been debated quite a bit throughout history, you know, depending on the circumstances. It usually involves a serious abuse of power or a clear breach of public trust, rather than just a disagreement over policy. So, the House votes on each of these articles, and if one or more get a majority vote, the president is then considered "impeached."

A look at the process for a president's impeachment

Once the House of Representatives has voted to impeach, the situation moves over to the Senate. The Senate then takes on the role of a court, holding a trial to hear the case against the president. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court typically presides over this trial, acting a bit like a judge. Members of the House, often called "managers," present the case against the president, much like prosecutors would in a regular court. The president's own legal team gets to present their defense, of course. It is a very formal proceeding, with testimony, evidence, and arguments made by both sides.

For a president to be removed from office, a supermajority vote is needed in the Senate. That means at least two-thirds of the senators present must vote to convict the president on any of the articles of impeachment. This is a very high bar, and it is put in place to make sure that a president is not removed lightly or for purely political reasons. If the Senate does vote to convict, the president is then removed from their position, and the Vice President steps in to take over. If the Senate does not reach that two-thirds vote, the president stays in office. It is a pretty big deal, and the outcome always leaves a lasting mark on the nation's story, especially for those on the list of impeached US presidents.

Who Has Been on the list of impeached us presidents?

It is a rather exclusive group, this list of impeached US presidents. Over the course of American history, spanning more than two centuries and many presidencies, only a handful of individuals have actually faced this kind of formal accusation by the House of Representatives. These moments are often times of great political division and public discussion, showing just how seriously the nation takes the conduct of its highest office holder. Each instance tells a unique story about the political climate of its time and the specific actions that led to the charges. Knowing who these presidents are helps us get a better sense of the history of this unique American power.

The names that come up when we talk about this group are Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump. Each of these presidents faced different accusations and went through their own distinct impeachment processes. What they share is the experience of having the House of Representatives vote to bring charges against them, moving the question of their fitness for office to a trial in the Senate. It is important to remember that being impeached by the House does not mean a president was removed from office; that final step is up to the Senate. So, let's take a closer look at each of these figures who are part of the list of impeached US presidents.

Andrew Johnson's Story

Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, holds the distinction of being the first president to be impeached. This happened in 1868, not too long after the Civil War had ended. Johnson had taken office after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and his presidency was marked by serious disagreements with Congress, particularly over the way Reconstruction, the rebuilding of the South, should be handled. Congress, which had a strong Republican majority, wanted to be tough on the former Confederate states, while Johnson, a Democrat, preferred a more lenient approach. This difference in views led to a lot of friction, and, you know, things got pretty heated.

The main reason for Johnson's impeachment was his alleged violation of the Tenure of Office Act. This law, passed by Congress over Johnson's veto, was meant to limit the president's power to fire certain officeholders without Senate approval. Johnson, believing the law was unconstitutional, decided to remove Edwin Stanton, his Secretary of War, who was a strong ally of the Radical Republicans in Congress. This act was seen by many in the House as a direct challenge to their authority and a clear breach of the law. The House quickly voted to impeach him on several articles, mostly related to his defiance of the Tenure of Office Act and his general disrespect for Congress.

When the trial moved to the Senate, the political stakes were incredibly high. There was a strong desire among some senators to remove Johnson from office, but others worried about setting a precedent that could weaken the presidency. After a very tense trial, the Senate voted on three of the articles of impeachment. On each count, the vote was 35 guilty to 19 not guilty, which was just one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed for conviction. So, Johnson was acquitted and remained in office, though his remaining time as president was, frankly, quite challenging due to the ongoing animosity with Congress. His place on the list of impeached US presidents is secure, but he was not removed.

Bill Clinton's Situation

Decades later, in 1998, Bill Clinton became the second president to be impeached by the House of Representatives. His impeachment came during his second term in office and stemmed from a scandal involving his personal conduct. The accusations against him were not related to his official duties as president, but rather to statements he made under oath about a personal relationship. This particular situation captivated the nation and, you know, sparked a lot of discussion about what kinds of actions by a president warrant such a serious response from Congress.

The House of Representatives approved two articles of impeachment against President Clinton. The first article charged him with perjury, meaning lying under oath, to a grand jury about his relationship with a White House intern, Monica Lewinsky. The second article accused him of obstruction of justice, for allegedly trying to hinder the investigation into his conduct. These charges came after a lengthy investigation by an independent counsel, Kenneth Starr, whose report laid out the details of the alleged misdeeds. The votes in the House were largely along party lines, with most Republicans voting for impeachment and most Democrats voting against it.

Just like with Andrew Johnson, the impeachment trial for Bill Clinton moved to the Senate. The proceedings in early 1999 were watched closely by the public, as senators heard arguments from House managers and Clinton's defense team. The central question for the Senate was whether Clinton's actions, while perhaps morally questionable, rose to the level of "high crimes and misdemeanors" that would justify removing a president from office. Ultimately, the Senate did not reach the two-thirds majority needed to convict Clinton on either article. On the perjury charge, the vote was 45 guilty to 55 not guilty. On the obstruction of justice charge, it was 50 guilty to 50 not guilty. So, Bill Clinton was acquitted and finished his term, but he too joined the list of impeached US presidents.

Donald Trump's Appearances on the list of impeached us presidents

Donald Trump holds a unique spot on the list of impeached US presidents, as he is the only president to have been impeached twice by the House of Representatives. His first impeachment happened in December 2019, during his first term. This instance arose from allegations that he had abused the powers of his office by pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rival, Joe Biden, and then obstructing Congress's efforts to look into the matter. This was, in fact, a very public and highly contentious period in American politics, with strong opinions on both sides.

The House voted on two articles of impeachment against President Trump. The first article was for abuse of power, claiming he used his office to seek personal political gain. The second article was for obstruction of Congress, saying he blocked efforts by the House to investigate his actions, for example, by refusing to provide documents or allow witnesses to testify. The votes were largely split down party lines, reflecting the deep political divisions in the country at the time. The impeachment then moved to the Senate for a trial in early 2020. After hearing arguments, the Senate acquitted Trump on both articles, with only one Republican senator voting to convict on one charge. He remained in office.

Then, in January 2021, just days before his term was set to end, Donald Trump was impeached a second time by the House. This second impeachment was a direct result of the events of January 6, 2021, when a crowd of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building. The single article of impeachment charged him with "incitement of insurrection," arguing that his words and actions before and during the riot encouraged the violence. This was, apparently, an unprecedented moment in American history, with an impeachment vote happening so close to the end of a president's time in office.

The second impeachment trial for Donald Trump took place in the Senate after he had already left office. This raised some interesting constitutional questions about whether a former president could still be tried through impeachment. Despite these debates, the trial went ahead. The House managers presented their case, arguing that Trump's actions were a clear call to violence, while his defense team argued that his words were protected free speech and that the process was politically motivated. The Senate again voted to acquit Trump, with the vote being 57 guilty to 43 not guilty, which was still short of the two-thirds majority needed for conviction. So, Donald Trump holds the unique distinction of appearing twice on the list of impeached US presidents, but he was never removed from office by the Senate.

How Does Impeachment Affect a President's Legacy?

When a president faces impeachment, it is pretty clear that it leaves a mark, not just on their time in office but also on how history remembers them. The very fact of being on the list of impeached US presidents becomes a part of their story, a notable event that scholars and the public often discuss when looking back at their leadership. It can certainly shape perceptions, sometimes cementing existing views of a president, or, in other cases, adding a whole new layer to their public image. It is a moment that, you know, truly tests the strength of the office and the person holding it.

For some, the impeachment process can be seen as a vindication, especially if the president is acquitted. Supporters might argue that the system worked, that the charges were unfounded, or that the process was politically motivated. For others, however, the mere act of impeachment, regardless of the outcome in the Senate, can be viewed as a stain, a sign that the president engaged in behavior that was beneath the dignity of the office. It often divides public opinion even further, with people taking very strong stances on whether the president deserved the charges or not. The way a president handles the impeachment process itself can also greatly influence how they are seen in the years that follow.

The lasting impact of the list of impeached us presidents

The impact of being on the list of impeached US presidents stretches beyond the individual president. It also shapes the presidency itself and the relationship between the executive and legislative branches of government. Each impeachment instance provides a historical example that future Congresses and presidents look back on. It helps define, or at least debate, the boundaries of presidential power and what constitutes an impeachable offense. These events become part of the constitutional fabric of the nation, influencing how the system of checks and balances is understood and applied in later times. It is, basically, a pretty big deal for how our government works.

Furthermore, these moments often spark broader conversations among the public about the nature of leadership, ethics in government, and the meaning of accountability. They can lead to shifts in public trust or a renewed focus on the integrity of elected officials. While no president has ever been removed from office through impeachment, the fact that the process exists and has been used shows a fundamental aspect of American governance: that no one, not even the president, is entirely above the law. The presidents on the list of impeached US presidents serve as reminders of this important principle, and, you know, their stories continue to be a subject of study and discussion.

Are There Other Ways a President Can Be Removed?

While impeachment is the most talked-about way to potentially remove a president, it is not the only method our system provides for a president to leave office before their term is up. There are, in fact, a couple of other paths, though they are much less common and involve different circumstances. These other ways highlight the different kinds of situations that might lead to a change in leadership at the very top. Knowing about these options gives us a more complete picture of how the presidency can transition, you know, outside of regular elections.

One way a president might leave office is through resignation. This is when the president simply chooses to step down from their position. The most famous example of this in American history is Richard Nixon, who resigned in 1974 amidst the Watergate scandal, facing almost certain impeachment and removal. His resignation meant that the impeachment process, which had begun in the House, did not need to go through to a Senate trial. When a president resigns, the Vice President automatically steps into the presidency, just as if the president had passed away. It is a direct and immediate transfer of authority, really.

Another, much less common, way for a president to be removed, or rather, to have their powers transferred, is through the 25th Amendment to the Constitution. This amendment deals with presidential disability and succession. It has a section that allows for the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet to declare the president unable to discharge the powers and duties of their office. If this happens, the Vice President immediately takes over as Acting President. If the president then disputes this, Congress gets to decide, with a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate needed to confirm the president's inability. This particular part of the amendment has never been used to remove a president against their will, but it is there as a safeguard for situations where a president might be incapacitated and, you know, unable to fulfill their duties.

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