Does impeachment and conviction require a criminal act?

[Montrovant]

“You don’t even have to be convicted of a crime to lose your job in this constitutional republic if this body determines that your conduct as a public official is clearly out of bounds in your role,” the politician said. “Impeachment is not about punishment. Impeachment is about cleansing the office. Impeachment is about restoring honor and integrity to the office.”

https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article230483449.html

Nonsense.
Not once has any person been removed from their elected job in this constitutional republic without being convicted of a crime.
To do so would end this as a democratic republic and makes elections a pointless farce.

Impeachment without a criminal offense is just partisan authoritarianism, and has no place in a democratic republic.

There have been impeachment charges for intoxication on the bench. One also included unlawful handling of property claims and the person was found guilty, the other had no other charges and the person resigned before the process was completed.

James Peck was charged with abuse of power, although he was acquitted.

List of Individuals Impeached by the House of Representatives | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives

The Constitution gives the House of Representatives “the sole Power of Impeachment” (Article I, Section 2) of federal officers and gives the Senate “the sole Power to try all Impeachments” (Article I, Section 3). In the constitutional procedure of impeachment and removal, the House serves in the...

history.house.gov

 

[Bootney Lee Farnsworth]

Does impeachment require criminal behavior? In a word, “No”

"There is also evidence closer in time to the drafting of the Constitution which indicates that behavior supporting articles of impeachment—i.e., “high crimes and misdemeanors”—need not be crimes. In Federalist 65, Alexander Hamilton famously wrote that the subjects of the Senate’s impeachment jurisdiction “are those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men, or, in other words, from the abuse or violation of some public trust.”
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixg...hment-require-criminal-behavior-in-a-word-no/

https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article230483449.html
.........................................................................................................................................................................
The act of insurrection on Jan. 6 by the Trump inspired mob has rightly garnered a huge amount of attention. Yet, there was a precursor representing its own justification for removal from office.

Atlanta Prosecutor Appears to Move Closer to Trump Inquiry

ATLANTA — Prosecutors in Georgia appear increasingly likely to open a criminal investigation of President Trump over his attempts to overturn the results of the state’s 2020 election, an inquiry into offenses that would be beyond his federal pardon power.

The new Fulton County district attorney, Fani Willis, is already weighing whether to proceed, and among the options she is considering is the hiring of a special assistant from outside to oversee the investigation, according to people familiar with her office’s deliberations.

At the same time, David Worley, the lone Democrat on Georgia’s five-member election board, said this week that he would ask the board to make a referral to the Fulton County district attorney by next month. Among the matters he will ask prosecutors to investigate is a phone call Mr. Trump made in which he pressured Georgia’s secretary of state to overturn the state’s election results.
Atlanta Prosecutor Appears to Move Closer to Trump Inquiry

“are those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men, or, in other words, from the abuse or violation of some public trust.”

If the hugely consequential act of lying to the public about the result of the election is not a violation of the public trust what is?

We have covered this over and over.

Impeachment is not a criminal action or administration of justice. It is a political process.

As we have seen, any act, or no act at all, can be grounds for impeachment. Any evidence, or no evidence at all, can be sufficient to convict.

Given the recent history of the process, the only thing that matters regarding impeachment is votes. All other claims or issues are wholly irrelevant.

The recent abuse of that process, including the impeachment of Bill Clinton, started putting cracks in the union that will continue to spread. This is a nation on life-support. We can thank the duopoly for orchestrating America's demise.

That's why I want Texas out. We have to get out while we can. We better git while the gittin's good.

 

[Lesh]

Sadly the OP is correct and Republicans will no doubt Impeach any time they control the House. We must never let them have that power.

In THIS case however...Inciting insurrection IS a crime

 

[Montrovant]

Does impeachment require criminal behavior? In a word, “No”

"There is also evidence closer in time to the drafting of the Constitution which indicates that behavior supporting articles of impeachment—i.e., “high crimes and misdemeanors”—need not be crimes. In Federalist 65, Alexander Hamilton famously wrote that the subjects of the Senate’s impeachment jurisdiction “are those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men, or, in other words, from the abuse or violation of some public trust.”
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixg...hment-require-criminal-behavior-in-a-word-no/

https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article230483449.html
.........................................................................................................................................................................
The act of insurrection on Jan. 6 by the Trump inspired mob has rightly garnered a huge amount of attention. Yet, there was a precursor representing its own justification for removal from office.

Atlanta Prosecutor Appears to Move Closer to Trump Inquiry

ATLANTA — Prosecutors in Georgia appear increasingly likely to open a criminal investigation of President Trump over his attempts to overturn the results of the state’s 2020 election, an inquiry into offenses that would be beyond his federal pardon power.

The new Fulton County district attorney, Fani Willis, is already weighing whether to proceed, and among the options she is considering is the hiring of a special assistant from outside to oversee the investigation, according to people familiar with her office’s deliberations.

At the same time, David Worley, the lone Democrat on Georgia’s five-member election board, said this week that he would ask the board to make a referral to the Fulton County district attorney by next month. Among the matters he will ask prosecutors to investigate is a phone call Mr. Trump made in which he pressured Georgia’s secretary of state to overturn the state’s election results.
Atlanta Prosecutor Appears to Move Closer to Trump Inquiry

“are those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men, or, in other words, from the abuse or violation of some public trust.”

If the hugely consequential act of lying to the public about the result of the election is not a violation of the public trust what is?

We have covered this over and over.

Impeachment is not a criminal action or administration of justice. It is a political process.

As we have seen, any act, or no act at all, can be grounds for impeachment. Any evidence, or no evidence at all, can be sufficient to convict.

Given the recent history of the process, the only thing that matters regarding impeachment is votes. All other claims or issues are wholly irrelevant.

The recent abuse of that process, including the impeachment of Bill Clinton, started putting cracks in the union that will continue to spread. This is a nation on life-support. We can thank the duopoly for orchestrating America's demise.

That's why I want Texas out. We have to get out while we can. We better git while the gittin's good.

While I disagree with the idea that the nation is near its end, or that Texas should secede, the rest of this post is completely reasonable. It's why I consider both Trump impeachments to be nothing more than political theater; the Democrats in the House know there's virtually no way the Senate will vote to convict.

I suppose there's at least some greater possibility this time, with the president on the way out and more Republicans willing to show disagreement with the president, but it still seems very unlikely. I'm not even certain how it will matter, given that Trump would be out of office before an impeachment vote.

 

[JoeMoma]

Does impeachment require criminal behavior? In a word, “No”

"There is also evidence closer in time to the drafting of the Constitution which indicates that behavior supporting articles of impeachment—i.e., “high crimes and misdemeanors”—need not be crimes. In Federalist 65, Alexander Hamilton famously wrote that the subjects of the Senate’s impeachment jurisdiction “are those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men, or, in other words, from the abuse or violation of some public trust.”
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixg...hment-require-criminal-behavior-in-a-word-no/

https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article230483449.html
.........................................................................................................................................................................
The act of insurrection on Jan. 6 by the Trump inspired mob has rightly garnered a huge amount of attention. Yet, there was a precursor representing its own justification for removal from office.

Atlanta Prosecutor Appears to Move Closer to Trump Inquiry

ATLANTA — Prosecutors in Georgia appear increasingly likely to open a criminal investigation of President Trump over his attempts to overturn the results of the state’s 2020 election, an inquiry into offenses that would be beyond his federal pardon power.

The new Fulton County district attorney, Fani Willis, is already weighing whether to proceed, and among the options she is considering is the hiring of a special assistant from outside to oversee the investigation, according to people familiar with her office’s deliberations.

At the same time, David Worley, the lone Democrat on Georgia’s five-member election board, said this week that he would ask the board to make a referral to the Fulton County district attorney by next month. Among the matters he will ask prosecutors to investigate is a phone call Mr. Trump made in which he pressured Georgia’s secretary of state to overturn the state’s election results.
Atlanta Prosecutor Appears to Move Closer to Trump Inquiry

“are those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men, or, in other words, from the abuse or violation of some public trust.”

If the hugely consequential act of lying to the public about the result of the election is not a violation of the public trust what is?

Then, this coming Thursday, it would be more than proper I guess, for Articles of Impeachment to be drawn up against Sleepy Joe for "fucking up the country", which isn't really a crime either?

Not going to happen while the Dems hold the house. Also, I would hope that the Republicans stick to the constitutional reasons of high crimes and misdemeanors for impeaching a president.

 

[9thIDdoc]

Does impeachment require criminal behavior? In a word, “No”

"There is also evidence closer in time to the drafting of the Constitution which indicates that behavior supporting articles of impeachment—i.e., “high crimes and misdemeanors”—need not be crimes. In Federalist 65, Alexander Hamilton famously wrote that the subjects of the Senate’s impeachment jurisdiction “are those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men, or, in other words, from the abuse or violation of some public trust.”
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixg...hment-require-criminal-behavior-in-a-word-no/

https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article230483449.html
.........................................................................................................................................................................
The act of insurrection on Jan. 6 by the Trump inspired mob has rightly garnered a huge amount of attention. Yet, there was a precursor representing its own justification for removal from office.

Atlanta Prosecutor Appears to Move Closer to Trump Inquiry

ATLANTA — Prosecutors in Georgia appear increasingly likely to open a criminal investigation of President Trump over his attempts to overturn the results of the state’s 2020 election, an inquiry into offenses that would be beyond his federal pardon power.

The new Fulton County district attorney, Fani Willis, is already weighing whether to proceed, and among the options she is considering is the hiring of a special assistant from outside to oversee the investigation, according to people familiar with her office’s deliberations.

At the same time, David Worley, the lone Democrat on Georgia’s five-member election board, said this week that he would ask the board to make a referral to the Fulton County district attorney by next month. Among the matters he will ask prosecutors to investigate is a phone call Mr. Trump made in which he pressured Georgia’s secretary of state to overturn the state’s election results.
Atlanta Prosecutor Appears to Move Closer to Trump Inquiry

“are those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men, or, in other words, from the abuse or violation of some public trust.”

If the hugely consequential act of lying to the public about the result of the election is not a violation of the public trust what is?

"There is also evidence closer in time to the drafting of the Constitution which indicates that behavior supporting articles of impeachment—i.e., “high crimes and misdemeanors”—need not be crimes."

High crimes are not crimes. Seriously? You're dreaming.

 

[9thIDdoc]

It the votes are there in both the house and senate, the president can be impeached and removed from office for having two scoops of ice cream.

Maybe so but if that were so it would the duty of the SCOUS to negate the impeachment as unconstitutional.

 

[JoeMoma]

It the votes are there in both the house and senate, the president can be impeached and removed from office for having two scoops of ice cream.

Maybe so but if that were so it would the duty of the SCOUS to negate the impeachment as unconstitutional.

Would SCOTUS do that? That's uncharted territory. Does SCOTUS have the authority to over rule congress on an impeachment? The USA would be in deep shit if it ever got to that point.

 

[9thIDdoc]

It the votes are there in both the house and senate, the president can be impeached and removed from office for having two scoops of ice cream.

Maybe so but if that were so it would the duty of the SCOUS to negate the impeachment as unconstitutional.

Would SCOTUS do that? That's uncharted territory. Does SCOTUS have the authority to over rule congress on an impeachment? The USA would be in deep shit if it ever got to that point.

True but it looks to me like the Country crossed the "deep shit" line when the Nation tried to impeach it's President without charges of a crime.

 

[Montrovant]

Does impeachment require criminal behavior? In a word, “No”

"There is also evidence closer in time to the drafting of the Constitution which indicates that behavior supporting articles of impeachment—i.e., “high crimes and misdemeanors”—need not be crimes. In Federalist 65, Alexander Hamilton famously wrote that the subjects of the Senate’s impeachment jurisdiction “are those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men, or, in other words, from the abuse or violation of some public trust.”
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixg...hment-require-criminal-behavior-in-a-word-no/

https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article230483449.html
.........................................................................................................................................................................
The act of insurrection on Jan. 6 by the Trump inspired mob has rightly garnered a huge amount of attention. Yet, there was a precursor representing its own justification for removal from office.

Atlanta Prosecutor Appears to Move Closer to Trump Inquiry

ATLANTA — Prosecutors in Georgia appear increasingly likely to open a criminal investigation of President Trump over his attempts to overturn the results of the state’s 2020 election, an inquiry into offenses that would be beyond his federal pardon power.

The new Fulton County district attorney, Fani Willis, is already weighing whether to proceed, and among the options she is considering is the hiring of a special assistant from outside to oversee the investigation, according to people familiar with her office’s deliberations.

At the same time, David Worley, the lone Democrat on Georgia’s five-member election board, said this week that he would ask the board to make a referral to the Fulton County district attorney by next month. Among the matters he will ask prosecutors to investigate is a phone call Mr. Trump made in which he pressured Georgia’s secretary of state to overturn the state’s election results.
Atlanta Prosecutor Appears to Move Closer to Trump Inquiry

“are those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men, or, in other words, from the abuse or violation of some public trust.”

If the hugely consequential act of lying to the public about the result of the election is not a violation of the public trust what is?

"There is also evidence closer in time to the drafting of the Constitution which indicates that behavior supporting articles of impeachment—i.e., “high crimes and misdemeanors”—need not be crimes."

High crimes are not crimes. Seriously? You're dreaming.

Look up the phrase “high crimes and misdemeanors “ From what I’ve read, it was not limited to legal crimes.
I’m on my phone at the moment or I would provide some links. I’m terrible with this when I’m not on my pc

 

[Whodatsaywhodat.]

Ridiculous. Many examples of an impeachable abuse of power (like firing IG's without cause) require no criminal act.

Spying on everyone . Including the Supreme Court!

 

[Lesh]

Would SCOTUS do that? That's uncharted territory. Does SCOTUS have the authority to over rule congress on an impeachment? The USA would be in deep shit if it ever got to that point.

Congress has the SOLE power of Impeachment

 

[Resnic]

The left, like everything they touch, has destroyed the impeachment process. All for partisan press headlines.

To them impeachment is just a tool to be used to get rid of those that don't agree with them.

And they won't let it be used against them for the same reasons. Even when the reasons are ones based on illegal reasons like allowing foriengers to invade us illegally, or letting Americans be captured and funding foriegn terrorists, or forcing illegal mandates, or purposefully damaging our countries economy, or allowing domestic terrorists to harm innocent people and riot and loot, and so on.