Presidential Impeachment

Archive Report

Moves Towards Impeachment of Nixon

Watergates as Catalyst for Action Against Nixon

Talk of impeachment is in the air. Not since the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson in 1868 has there been so much demand that Article II, Section 4, of the Constitution be invoked against a President of the United States. It stipulates that the “President, Vice President and all other civil officers of the United States shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery and other high crimes and misdemeanors.”

Public sentiment for President Nixon's removal grew after his firing of Watergate Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox on Oct. 23—though public opinion polls indicated impeachment lacked majority support. Since then, 25 resolutions dealing with impeachment have been introduced in Congress, ...

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