The question of who impeached Bill Clinton refers to the formal process initiated by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives in 1998, stemming from allegations of perjury and obstruction of justice related to the Monica Lewinsky scandal. While the House voted to impeach the President, the effort ultimately failed in the Senate, resulting in Clinton remaining in office for the remainder of his second term.
The Political Context Leading to Impeachment
The impeachment of President Clinton did not occur in a vacuum; it was the culmination of years of partisan friction dating back to the 1994 midterm elections. The Republican Party, led by Speaker Newt Gingrich, had campaigned on a platform of limited government and ethical reform, promising to clean up what they termed the "corrupt" practices of the Democratic administration. This created a tense atmosphere in Washington long before the specific allegations regarding a sexual affair emerged.
The Trigger: The Lewinsky Scandal and Independent Counsel
The specific catalyst for impeachment was the investigation into President Clinton's relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, which was being conducted by Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr. Starr's mandate was to investigate the Whitewater real estate investments, but the inquiry expanded to include allegations that Clinton lied under oath about the affair. The release of the Starr Report in September 1998 provided the Republicans in Congress with the specific evidence they needed to move forward with impeachment proceedings.
Who Voted for Impeachment in the House?
On December 19, 1998, the House of Representatives voted to impeach President Clinton on two articles: perjury to a grand jury and obstruction of justice. The votes fell largely along party lines, with every Republican in the House voting in favor of at least one article, joined by a small number of Democrats. Not a single Republican voted against impeachment, while a handful of Democrats, prioritizing political strategy over party loyalty, supported the measure.
Specific House Votes
Article I (Perjury): Passed 228–206.
Article II (Obstruction of Justice): Passed 221–212.
The Senate Trial and Acquittal
After impeachment, the case moved to the Senate for a trial, where Senators serve as the jury. Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist presided over the proceedings against the backdrop of intense national debate. Ultimately, the Senate voted on February 12, 1999, to acquit Clinton on both charges. The votes fell short of the two-thirds majority required for conviction, with 55 Senators voting "not guilty" on the perjury charge and 50 on the obstruction charge.
The Rhetoric: Defense and Accusations
During the proceedings, the White House framed the impeachment as a "coup" by the Republican opposition, arguing that the President's personal sins did not meet the high bar of "high crimes and misdemeanors" necessary for removal. Conversely, Republican leaders argued that the standards were not political but legal, asserting that lying under oath undermined the rule of law itself. The rhetoric highlighted the deep divide in American politics, where legal interpretation became a proxy for cultural and ideological battles.
The Lasting Impact on American Politics
The impeachment fundamentally altered the relationship between the legislative and executive branches for the remainder of Clinton's presidency. It contributed to a significant downturn in public trust in government institutions and set a precedent that would influence future investigations, including those concerning his successors. The legacy of this event remains a stark reminder of how legal processes can be intertwined with hyper-partisan politics.
