Ultimate check
Impeachment is the Constitution's last-resort mechanism for holding the most powerful officials accountable.
In plain English
Impeachment is Congress's tool for charging and potentially removing presidents, judges, and other federal officials — the House indicts, the Senate tries.
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
How congressional districts work
Congressional districts determine who represents Americans in the House of Representatives — and the way those districts are drawn can shape political power for years.
Read the guide → Related issue brief
Should the Senate eliminate the filibuster?
The filibuster lets 41 senators block most legislation by refusing to end debate. Supporters say it protects minority rights. Critics say it makes Congress incapable of acting.
Read the brief →You’ve learned the term. Now vote.
Should Congress restrict the sale of Americans' location data by commercial data brokers?
Live results — 170 voters
Anonymous · one vote per person
America has spoken.
Live community results — based on 170 anonymous votes.
See the full breakdown — by state and political lean