Last year, during oratorical season, the directors would pick four amendments. On the day of the competition, they would randomly pick one the day of the competition. Recently, I wanted to see if I still had the ability to write on one the amendments. This is what I came up with....
Article 2, Section 4
Article 2, Section 4 states, “The president, vice president, and all other civil officers shall be removed from office on impeachment for the conviction of treason, bribery, and any other high crimes or misdemeanors.”
It is amazing how we hold politicians to such high regard. And as a civil officer, elected by the people, you are either for us or against us. So, treason is the ultimate betrayal to one’s country. Treason is unacceptable. Bribery, whether giving or receiving, jeopardizes the government’s relationship with the people. Bribery is unacceptable. In the same manner, other high crimes and misdemeanors cause ethical issues.
To impeach the president, vice president, or any other civil officer, two-thirds of the House of Representatives must vote that the accused should be impeached. The first step of the process is for the person being accused to stand before the House of Representatives, where they will decide whether or not the person should be impeached. After that, the accused will stand in trial where the Chief of Justice will serve as the judge, officials of the House of Representatives will serve as prosecutors, and the Senate will serve as the jury.
Only three of our presidents have gone through the impeachment process. These three were: President Andrew Johnson, President Richard Nixon, and President Bill Clinton. The first to undergo the impeachment process was President Andrew Johnson because he was accused of violating the Act of Tenure. He escaped impeachment being one vote shy of the two-thirds needed for the conviction. The second to undergo the impeachment process was Richard Nixon because he abused his power as president. He resigned before the Senate could make their final decision. The third and final president to undergo the impeachment process was President Bill Clinton because not only was he accused of abusing his power as president, but was accused of perjury. Much like President Andrew Johnson, he was acquitted after the Senate failed to convict him.
No one, not even the president, vice president, or any other civil officer are above the law. Again, I claim Article 2, Section 4 “The president, vice president, and all civil officers shall be removed from office on impeachment for the conviction of treason, bribery, and other high crimes and misdemeanors.”
