Impeachment: What's going on and why?

In the history of the United States, only two presidents have been impeached by the House of Representatives: Andrew Johnson in 1868, and Bill Clinton in 1998. Both were acquitted by the Senate. Richard Nixon resigned amid a threatened impeachment in 1974. The impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, launched in the heat of the 2020 presidential campaign, will be shaped by politics as much as legal concerns. This page collects our best efforts to let you decide how to think about this process.

READ

Trump and McConnell: Political odd couple turned powerful partnership

Impeachment trial: A foregone conclusion belies big stakes

Focus

As Roberts enters fray, legacy of judicial independence at stake

Trump impeachment and the Parnas papers: Three questions

The Monitor's View

An impeachment trial the world can appreciate

How Trump impeachment took on air of inevitability

The Explainer

Did FBI try to take down Trump? Three questions about DOJ’s report

In one swing district, impeachment hasn’t swayed voters – yet

Impeachment and the history of political combat

Politics Watch

Peering through the partisan impeachment looking glass

How impeachment helped push surprise progress on trade

What call logs may mean for impeachment: Three questions

First Look

Pelosi authorizes drafting impeachment articles against Trump

‘What does this actually change?’ Our reporters catch you up on impeachment.

For those personally touched by Watergate, Trump drama resonates

Politics Watch

What constitutes 'impeachable' conduct?

Impeachment’s rock stars: Powerful women

Impeachment scorecard: A House, and nation, still divided

Did Ukraine interfere in the 2016 election? Three questions.

Sondland impeachment testimony: Two perspectives

Politics Watch

'Bombshell' testimony? Or just another Wednesday?

On impeachment, Jim Jordan goes for the takedown

Impeachment hearings day one: Two perspectives

Trump, impeachment, and the whistleblower: Three questions

The Explainer

Giuliani, Ukraine, and back-channel diplomacy. Three precedents.

Is impeachment fair? Our reporters catch you up on where things stand (a chat)

Five senators to watch on impeachment

Politics Watch

House may vote to impeach – but then McConnell runs the show

The Explainer

A ‘closed-door’ impeachment process: Three questions.

Was there a quid pro quo with Ukraine? Three questions.

Politics Watch

Will Trump survive impeachment? The answer may lie with Fox News.

Adam Schiff and the credibility of impeachment

The Explainer

The 25th Amendment: Three questions about a tool to oust presidents

The Explainer

Is the House impeachment inquiry illegitimate? Three questions.

The Explainer

Joe and Hunter Biden: Three questions about Ukraine corruption

Ukraine: Why does it keep coming up in the Trump White House?

Is US in constitutional crisis? That may not be most important question.

Why impeachment is about more than Donald Trump

How impeachment is playing in one swing district

Trump, impeachment, and US voters’ alternate realities

Politics Watch

Why impeachment polls matter so much to Trump

Caught in Trump impeachment storm, Joe Biden holds steady