10 things to know about impeachment of Donald Trump
As President Donald Trump becomes the third president to be impeached in U.S history, after that of Bill Clinton, Legit.ng brings you top things to know about this impeachment.
1. Allegations against Trump
Trump is charged with obstruction of Congress and abuse of power related to his dealings with Ukraine.
The first article charges that the president used his public office to coerce a foreign government into attacking his political rival.
Specifically, Trump is accused of pressuring Ukraine to open an investigation into the president's political rival and former vice president, Joe Biden.
Biden is also a frontrunner in the 2020 Democratic presidential race.
The second article charges that the president took extreme and unprecedented steps to obstruct US federal lawmaker's investigation into his conduct.
2. The party that led the impeachment of Trump
The Democratic Party led the House of Representatives under Speaker Nancy Pelosi to carry out the impeachment.
Speaking on the impeachment, Pelosi said Trump gave Democrats no choice but to pursue impeachment.
She described Trump as an ongoing threat to America's national security and the integrity of the U.S elections.
Source: Getty Images
3. Which party controls the U.S House of Representatives
The Democrats are in control of the House of Representatives
4. Which party controls the U.S Senate
The Republicans are in control of the Senate
5. Political party breakdown of members in the U.S House of Representatives as at Wednesday, December 18 - the day of Trump's impeachment
Democrats - 233
Republicans - 197
Independents - 1
Vacancies - 4
6. Political party breakdown of members in the U.S Senate
Democrats - 45
Republicans - 53
Independents - 2
Source: UGC
7. How US impeachment works - the Trump scenario
In impeachment proceedings, the House of Representatives charges Trump by approving articles of impeachment, through a majority vote.
After this, there will be a trial at the Senate.
The Democrats will be the prosecutors while the Republicans in the Senate are jurors
If the Senate convicts Trump on any of the two charges against him, he automatically stands removed from office.
8. If the Senate acquits Trump now that the House of Reps has impeached him, what does that mean?
If acquitted in Senate, Trump remains in office, just as former president Bill Clinton did over 20 years ago, to serve out the remainder of his tenure.
In Trump's case, he is also free to re-contest the presidency in 2020 if he survives Senate trial.
However, no matter what happens at the Senate, Donald Trump has entered the history books as one of the impeached presidents of the United States of America. He has for company Bill Clinton (December 19, 1998) and Andrew Johnson (February 24, 1868).
Source: UGC
9. How many votes does it take to remove Trump from office?
A two-third majority in the Senate is required to convict and oust Trump. This means 67 out of 100 senators.
10. Will Trump be eventually removed from office?
Not likely. Why? This is because the Republicans control the 100-seat chamber with a 53-47 majority.
So, the president is widely expected to be acquitted.
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Recall that Legit.ng had reported that President Donald Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives of the United States of America.
The members of the US House of Representatives voted 230 in favour of removing Trump against 197 that voted for him not to be impeached on the first article of impeachment - abuse of power.
On the second article, which is obstruction of congress, the federal lawmakers voted 229 to 198 for Trump to be impeached.
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Explained: 6 Reasons Why Donald Trump Might Be Impeached on Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
