Ultimate check
Impeachment is the Constitution's last-resort mechanism for holding the most powerful officials accountable.
In plain English
When Congress puts officials on trial.
Impeachment is Congress's tool for charging and potentially removing presidents, judges, and other federal officials — the House indicts, the Senate tries.
Simple example
Three presidents — Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump (twice) — have been impeached by the House; none was convicted by the Senate.
Why it matters
What the term actually changes.
High bar by design
Conviction requires two-thirds of the Senate, which in practice demands significant bipartisan agreement.
How it works
The mechanics, in practice.
House charges
A House majority approves articles of impeachment — the formal accusations of high crimes and misdemeanors.
Senate trial
The Senate sits as a court; for presidential trials, the Chief Justice presides.
Conviction & removal
A two-thirds Senate vote convicts and removes; a separate majority vote can bar the official from future office.
Related guide
What does presidential job approval actually measure?
A quick guide to one of the most-watched numbers in American politics — and what it can and cannot tell you.
Read the guide → Related issue brief
Do you approve of how the President is handling the job?
A look at the strongest arguments on each side of the presidential job-approval question.
Read the brief →You’ve learned the term. Now vote.
Do you approve of how the President is handling the job?
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