What It Means to Be Impeached and Removed
Impeachment is the formal accusation of misconduct by a civil officer. Removal follows a trial and conviction. In the United States, the House impeaches; the Senate tries and votes on removal. A two-thirds supermajority in the Senate is required to convict and remove an official from office.
Federal Officials Who Were Impeached and Removed
Only a small number of federal officials have been removed through impeachment. All U.S. presidents who were impeached by the House were later acquitted by the Senate and remained in office. Federal judges have been removed more often, typically after trials for misconduct or criminal behavior. For a current list of proceedings, see the official U.S. Senate impeachment records.
State Officials and Impeachment
Many U.S. states also use impeachment for governors and other state officers. Procedures vary by state constitution, but most require a legislative vote to impeach and a trial before removal. State impeachment is distinct from federal impeachment and does not automatically result in removal unless the legislature votes to convict.
