Cecily Zamora
Bill Clinton was impeached in 1998 after a formal House inquiry. The charges against him stemmed from a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Paula Jones, which led to evidence emerging of an affair with Monica Lewinsky. Clinton was impeached on two charges: lying under oath to a federal grand jury and obstructing justice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of impeachment | 19 December 1998 |
| Date of trial | 7 January 1999 |
| Date of verdict | 12 February 1999 |
| Reason for impeachment | Sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Paula Jones |
| Result of impeachment | Clinton was charged with lying under oath to a federal grand jury and obstructing justice |
| Other charges | Perjury, witness-tampering, abuse of power |
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What You'll Learn
Lying under oath to a federal grand jury
The impeachment of President Bill Clinton was initiated by a formal House inquiry on 8 October 1998. The inquiry was launched following a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Paula Jones, which led to evidence of Clinton's extramarital affair with Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern.
Clinton was impeached on two charges: lying under oath to a federal grand jury and obstructing justice. The former charge relates to Clinton's denial of a sexual relationship with Lewinsky during pre-trial discovery in the lawsuit filed by Jones. This constitutes perjury, which is a criminal offence.
Perjury is defined as the wilful act of giving false testimony under oath, and it is considered a serious crime as it undermines the integrity of the judicial system. In the United States, perjury is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine.
During the impeachment inquiry, Clinton's testimony was contradicted by evidence, including the Starr Report, which outlined details of his sexual relationship with Lewinsky. This report, prepared by Independent Counsel Ken Starr, served as a catalyst for Clinton's impeachment.
Clinton's impeachment trial began on 7 January 1999, with the chief justice of the US Supreme Court presiding and the senators sworn in as jurors. On 12 February 1999, the Senate voted on whether to remove Clinton from office, but he was ultimately acquitted on both articles of impeachment.
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Obstructing justice
The impeachment of President Bill Clinton was based on a civil suit involving sexual harassment claims against Clinton by Paula Jones. During the pendency of Jones v. Clinton, evidence emerged that Clinton had had an extramarital affair with Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern at the time. Clinton was deposed by Jones’ lawyers and denied having a sexual affair with Lewinsky. Lewinsky also submitted a sworn affidavit corroborating Clinton’s testimony.
Clinton was impeached on two articles of impeachment: lying under oath to a federal grand jury and obstructing justice. The Starr Report, prepared by Ken Starr, Independent Counsel, for the House Judiciary Committee, outlined a case for impeaching Clinton on 11 grounds, including perjury, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and abuse of power.
Obstruction of justice is a criminal offence that involves interfering with the administration of law or the investigation of a crime. In Clinton's case, the obstruction of justice charge was based on his alleged attempts to conceal his sexual relationship with Lewinsky. This included denying the relationship under oath and encouraging Lewinsky to do the same.
Clinton's actions could have interfered with the investigation into the sexual harassment claims against him and impacted the outcome of the case. By lying under oath, Clinton was attempting to mislead the court and obstruct the discovery of the truth. This is a serious offence as it undermines the integrity of the legal system and can lead to miscarriages of justice.
The obstruction of justice charge against Clinton was a significant factor in his impeachment and highlighted the importance of holding public officials accountable for their actions. It also served as a reminder that no one is above the law, and that even the president must abide by the rules and face the consequences of their actions.
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Perjury
Bill Clinton was impeached on 19 December 1998, after a formal House inquiry was launched on 8 October 1998. The catalyst for the impeachment was the Starr Report, which outlined 11 grounds for impeachment, including perjury, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and abuse of power.
Clinton was also accused of lying under oath to a federal grand jury, which is a form of perjury. This related to his business dealings, specifically a failed real estate investment in Arkansas known as "Whitewater".
Clinton was the second American president to be impeached, after Andrew Johnson in 1868. The trial of President Clinton began on 7 January 1999, with the chief justice of the US Supreme Court, William Rehnquist, presiding. The senators were sworn in as jurors. On 12 February 1999, the Senate voted on whether to remove Clinton from office, but he was ultimately acquitted on both articles of impeachment.
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Witness tampering
Clinton was impeached on two articles of impeachment: lying under oath to a federal grand jury and obstructing justice. The catalyst for the impeachment was the Starr Report, which outlined 11 grounds for impeachment, including witness tampering.
The specific details of the witness tampering allegation are not publicly known, but it is likely that it relates to Clinton's attempts to conceal his sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern at the time. Lewinsky had submitted a sworn affidavit corroborating Clinton's testimony that he had not had a sexual affair with her. However, during the investigation, evidence emerged that contradicted Clinton's testimony and Lewinsky's initial statement.
It is important to note that Clinton was not convicted of witness tampering, as the Senate voted to acquit him on both articles of impeachment. However, the allegation of witness tampering was a significant part of the case against him, and it contributed to the public and political pressure that ultimately led to his impeachment.
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Abuse of power
Clinton's impeachment was approved on 7 January 1999, and he was charged with lying under oath to a federal grand jury and obstructing justice. The catalyst for the impeachment was the Starr Report, which outlined 11 grounds for impeachment, including perjury, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and abuse of power.
The abuse of power charge was based on Clinton's alleged misuse of his position as President to engage in a sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern at the time. Clinton was accused of using his power and influence to pursue a sexual relationship with Lewinsky, which was considered an abuse of his position and a violation of the public trust.
Clinton initially denied the relationship during a deposition in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Paula Jones. However, evidence emerged that contradicted his testimony, including Lewinsky's sworn affidavit corroborating the relationship. The Starr Report provided explicit details of the sexual relationship between Clinton and Lewinsky, which further supported the abuse of power charge.
The impeachment inquiry also investigated some of the Clintons' business dealings, including a failed real estate investment in Arkansas known as "Whitewater". While the specific details of the abuse of power charge are not publicly known, it is likely that the investigation examined whether Clinton used his position to influence or interfere with these business dealings in an improper or unethical manner.
Clinton was the second American president to be impeached, and the trial proceeded in the Senate with the chief justice of the US Supreme Court presiding and the senators serving as jurors. Despite the charges, Clinton vowed to finish his term, and he was ultimately acquitted on both articles of impeachment on 12 February 1999.
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Frequently asked questions
The Starr Report, a September 1998 report prepared by Ken Starr, Independent Counsel, for the House Judiciary Committee. The Starr Report included details outlining a sexual relationship between Clinton and Monica Lewinsky.
Clinton was charged with lying under oath to a federal grand jury and obstructing justice.
Clinton was acquitted on both articles of impeachment on February 12, 1999.
