The U.S. House of Representatives voted December 18 to impeach President Donald Trump for pressuring Ukraine to investigate one of Trump’s political rivals, former Vice President Joe Biden, and an unfounded theory that Ukraine conspired with Democrats to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Trump was also charged with obstructing the nearly three-month congressional impeachment inquiry by ordering administration officials to refuse to testify before investigative committees.
Many of the words and phrases used in the impeachment process are particular to U.S. law and clauses in the U.S. Constitution that govern the impeachment process. Here are some of the terms used in the impeachment inquiry and House vote and what they mean:
This impeachment article is a form of political corruption. It happens when a high-ranking official, while performing official duties, exercises their power to commit an unlawful act for illegitimate personal gain. Impeachment Article I alleges President Trump abused his power by soliciting the help of Ukraine’s new president to investigate the son of a Trump political opponent, tying the release of $391-million in U.S. foreign aid designated for Ukraine to such an investigation.
A formal document listing the charges against an official and the reasons why that person should be removed from office. In the United States, the House of Representatives drafts the articles of impeachment, which are then voted on by all members of the House. If a majority of House members vote in favor, the official is impeached — essentially, the equivalent of an indictment — and the articles of impeachment move to the Senate, which then holds a trial.
The second offense listed in the Constitution as worthy of impeachment, following treason. Bribery takes place when one person gives something of value to someone in a position of authority in order to influence his or her actions. It often involves cash gifts, although the inducements need not be money and could include, gifts, services or favors.
A formal statement of condemnation of a president, Cabinet member, judge or lawmaker passed by a chamber of Congress. Unlike impeachment, censure is not mentioned in the Constitution and would not trigger a trial and possible expulsion. Only one president has ever been censured: Andrew Jackson, by the Senate in 1834.
The Constitution says that any civil officer of the United States is eligible for impeachment. Civil officers are officials in the U.S. government who are appointed to their positions and serve in any of the branches of government — executive, legislative or judicial.
One of the categories of offenses listed in the Constitution worthy of impeachment. The framers of the Constitution did not define high crimes and misdemeanors, but the phrase has been interpreted to include both violations of criminal statues as well as noncriminal actions that are deemed an abuse of power.
This refers to the U.S. House bringing charges against a government official for alleged wrongdoing. A common misconception is that impeachment means removal from office, but it is more akin to an indictment. If a majority of lawmakers in the House vote in favor of impeachment, the process then moves to the Senate, which holds a trial to determine whether to remove the official from office.
This impeachment article occurs when a legal order of Congress is blocked, hindered or interfered with. The U.S. Constitution vests the House of Representatives with the sole power of impeachment. Impeachment Article II alleges President Trump directed members of his Cabinet and Administration to defy lawful House of Representatives subpoenas for testimony and records during the impeachment inquiry.
Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution grants the president the "power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment." The question of whether a president can pardon himself was raised during the Watergate scandal in the 1970s. At the time, a Justice Department memo sent to President Richard Nixon said: "Under the fundamental rule that no one may be a judge in his own case," the president cannot pardon himself. However, the Constitution does not expressly prevent a president from pardoning himself.
The most literal translation of the Latin phrase is "something for something," and in everyday terms it refers to an exchange of services or things of value. It has meaning in the legal system, finance and politics. It can describe perfectly legal transactions, but it can also apply to shady deals, where something improper or illegal is exchanged for something of value.