What Are the Impeachable Offenses for a U.S. President?

Impeachable offenses can cause a president to be removed from office.

Impeachment is the process that enables a legislative body to remove a public official from office. The president of the United States is subject to impeachment if he commits certain offenses. Impeachment proceedings begin with an indictment and end with a trial to determine guilt or innocence. Impeachable offenses are treason, bribery and high crimes and misdemeanors. As of 2011, two U.S. presidents -- Andrew Jackson and Bill Clinton -- have been impeached, but neither was removed from office.

Treason

According the U.S. Code, treason involves a person who has sworn allegiance to the country, yet levies war against the U.S. A person who adheres to enemies and aids them inside or outside of the U.S. have committed treason. Treason can be punishable by death as well as imprisonment.

Bribery

Bribery is the act of promising, giving, receiving or agreeing to receive money or some other item of value with the aim of influencing a public official in discharge of his official duties. Even if an official does not follow through with a bribe, he can still be accused and tried for the crime.

High Crimes and Misdemeanors

The charge of high crimes and misdemeanors usually applies to an array of offenses. Misuse of office and improper conduct can be seen as reasons for impeachment. Because the House of Representatives conducts the indictment of the president, it must determine whether the offense fits under this category. Johnson and Clinton were impeached under these circumstances. However, both presidents were acquitted after a trial.

Constitutional Provisions

Article I, sections 2 and 3 of the U.S. Constitution lay the groundwork for the impeachment process. The House of Representatives can indict the president on impeachable offenses with a majority vote from the members. Once indicted, the president must be tried by the Senate. With the chief justice of the Supreme Court presiding over the hearing, a two-thirds majority vote from the Senate can remove the president from office after the trial has been conducted.

References

• Cornell University Law School; United States Code: Title 18, Chapter 115-Treason, Sedition, and Subversive Acts
• Encyclopedia Britannica; Bribery; 2011
• USHistory.org; Constitution of the United States