Impeachment of Donald Trump facts for kids
Impeachment of Donald Trump is a phrase that can mean two different events involving the 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump.
When a president is impeached, it means that a country's legislature (like the U.S. Congress) has formally accused them of serious wrongdoing. It's similar to a grand jury bringing charges in a criminal case. Impeachment itself does not remove a president from office. After the House of Representatives votes to impeach, the Senate then holds a trial to decide if the president should be removed.
Donald Trump was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives twice during his presidency. These were the only times a U.S. president has been impeached more than once.
Contents
First Impeachment of Donald Trump
The first time Donald Trump was impeached was in December 2019. The House of Representatives voted on two main charges against him.
What Were the Charges?
The first charge was abuse of power. This meant that President Trump was accused of using his presidential powers for personal political gain. The second charge was obstruction of Congress. This charge related to accusations that he tried to block Congress's investigation into his actions.
The Senate Trial
After the House impeached him, the case went to the Senate for a trial. In February 2020, the Senate voted on both charges. To remove a president, two-thirds of the senators must vote guilty. The Senate did not reach this number for either charge, so President Trump was not removed from office.
Second Impeachment of Donald Trump
The second time Donald Trump was impeached was in January 2021, shortly before his term ended. This impeachment was different because it happened after a major event at the U.S. Capitol building.
What Was the Charge?
The single charge against President Trump in his second impeachment was incitement of insurrection. This meant he was accused of encouraging or stirring up a rebellion or violent uprising against the government. This charge was related to the events at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
The Second Senate Trial
The Senate trial for the second impeachment took place in February 2021, after President Trump had left office. Even though he was no longer president, the Senate still held the trial. The Senate again voted on the charge. However, the two-thirds majority needed to convict was not reached. Therefore, President Trump was not convicted or barred from holding future office.
See also
In Spanish: Proceso de destitución de Donald Trump para niños
