who can impeach the president
The president of the United States can be impeached only by the U.S. House of Representatives, and then tried for removal by the U.S. Senate.
Who Can Impeach the President?
- The House of Representatives has the sole power of impeachment , meaning only the House can formally charge (impeach) a president with “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.”
- Impeachment in this sense is similar to an indictment: it is the accusation, not the final punishment or removal.
Who Can Remove the President?
- Once the House impeaches, the case moves to the Senate , which has the sole power to try all impeachments.
- In a presidential impeachment trial, the Chief Justice of the United States presides over the Senate proceedings.
- The president is removed from office only if two‑thirds of Senators present vote to convict on at least one article of impeachment.
Key Facts in Brief
- Only Congress (House and Senate) can impeach and remove a president; the courts and the public cannot directly do this.
- If convicted, the automatic consequence is removal from office , and the Senate may also vote to bar the person from holding future federal office.
In short: the House impeaches (charges), the Senate tries and can remove, and both steps are required to actually force a president out of office.