Impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump facts for kids
An impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump began on September 24, 2019. This happened when Nancy Pelosi, who was the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, announced it on TV. The inquiry was about Donald Trump, who was the 45th president of the United States.
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What is an Impeachment Inquiry?
An impeachment inquiry is like a big investigation. It is started by the United States House of Representatives. They look into whether a high-ranking official, like the President, has done something seriously wrong. If they find enough evidence, they can vote to impeach, which means to formally accuse.
Why Did the Inquiry Start?
The inquiry began because of concerns about President Trump. People were worried he asked the government of Ukraine to investigate Hunter Biden. Hunter Biden is the son of Joe Biden, who was running for president in 2020. This was seen as an attempt to help Trump's chances in the 2020 United States presidential election.
The Call with Ukraine
Before the inquiry, President Trump had a phone call with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During this call, he asked about the investigation. This phone call became a main focus of the inquiry.
Military Aid to Ukraine
Around the same time, President Trump stopped military aid to Ukraine. This aid was meant to help Ukraine defend itself. He later released the aid in September. Some people thought stopping the aid was connected to his request for an investigation.
How the Inquiry Unfolded
The House of Representatives decided to make the inquiry official. On October 28, 2019, Speaker Pelosi said there would be a vote. This vote was to set up rules for public hearings.
House Votes and Impeachment
On October 31, 2019, the House voted 232 to 196 to create these rules. This meant the hearings could begin. The inquiry finished on December 3. Two days later, Nancy Pelosi asked a special committee to write down the formal accusations against President Trump. These accusations are called "articles of impeachment."
The House Judiciary Committee then released a report. It said President Trump abused his power. On December 18, 2019, the House of Representatives voted to impeach President Trump. This meant he was formally accused by the House.
Senate Trial and Acquittal
After the House voted, the process moved to the United States Senate. The Senate held a trial. On February 5, 2020, the Senate voted on the accusations. They voted 52-48 and 53-47 to acquit President Trump. To "acquit" means to find someone not guilty. So, President Trump was not removed from office.
