Bill Clinton Impeachment 1998 – Facts, Timeline, and Key Events
The United States of America President Bill Clinton Impeachment. The Facts and Timeline of events for the second U.S. President in American History to be impeached. Second only to the impeachment of Andrew Johnson the 17th U.S. President, who succeeded to the Presidency when President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865.
🔍 Overview: Why Was Bill Clinton Impeached?
The Legal Grounds for Bill Clinton Impeachment
President Bill Clinton was officially impeached on December 19, 1998, under Article II, Section 4 of the United States Constitution, which states that a president may be impeached for:
“Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”
Two Articles of Impeachment were brought against Clinton:
Perjury – Lying under oath to a federal grand jury about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky.
Obstruction of Justice – Interfering with the legal process in the sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Paula Jones.
⚖️ Bill Clinton Impeachment Trial in the Senate
Following the House vote to impeach, the case moved to the U.S. Senate in January 1999, where a trial was held to determine whether Clinton should be removed from office.
Senate Trial Outcome – Bill Clinton Impeachment
The Senate failed to reach the required two-thirds majority vote to convict Clinton.
On February 13, 1999, Clinton was acquitted on both charges.
He completed the remainder of his second term in office.
👉 Fact: No U.S. President has ever been removed from office by impeachment.
📌 What About Richard Nixon?
Many people associate impeachment with Richard Nixon, but he was never formally impeached. Nixon resigned in 1974 during the Watergate scandal to avoid impeachment, becoming the only U.S. President to resign from office.
📅 Bill Clinton Impeachment Timeline: Key Events by Year
1995 – The Internship Begins
Monica Lewinsky, age 21, starts working as an unpaid intern in the White House under Chief of Staff Leon Panetta.
November 15: Lewinsky and President Clinton engage in their first sexual encounter.
1996 – Pentagon Transfer & Re-Election
Lewinsky is transferred to the Pentagon, where she works for Ken Bacon and meets Linda Tripp.
President Clinton is re-elected for a second term in November.
1997 – The Scandal Unfolds
October 3: Linda Tripp begins secretly recording phone calls with Monica Lewinsky discussing her relationship with Clinton.
December 19: Lewinsky is subpoenaed by lawyers for Paula Jones.
December 28: Clinton and Lewinsky have their final meeting at the White House.
1998 – Bill Clinton Impeachment Year
January
Jan 7: Lewinsky files an affidavit denying sexual relations with Clinton in the Paula Jones case.
Jan 12: Tripp informs Kenneth Starr, the Independent Counsel, about her secret recordings.
Jan 17: Clinton gives a deposition in the Paula Jones case.
Jan 26: Clinton addresses the nation and says: “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.”
August
Aug 6: Lewinsky testifies before the grand jury.
Aug 19: Kenneth Starr receives a DNA sample from Clinton for investigation.
October
Oct 8: The U.S. House of Representatives votes to authorize a formal impeachment inquiry.
December
Dec 11: Clinton issues a public apology from the White House Rose Garden.
Dec 19:President Bill Clinton is officially impeached by the House, becoming the second U.S. President in history to be impeached.
1999 – Senate Trial and Acquittal
Jan 7: The Senate impeachment trial of President Clinton begins.
Feb 13: The Senate acquits Clinton on both articles of impeachment.
Clinton remains in office and completes his term in January 2001.
📚 Interesting Facts About Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton is the only First Lady in U.S. history to later serve as Secretary of State.
She was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2009.
On January 21, 2009, she took the Oath of Office, with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, holding the Bible.
Hillary served as Secretary of State until January 2013, completing Obama’s first term.
✅ Key Takeaways – Bill Clinton Impeachment
Bill Clinton was impeached on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, but not removed from office.
He was the second U.S. President impeached, after Andrew Johnson in 1868.
The Senate acquitted Clinton, falling short of the two-thirds vote needed for removal.
Richard Nixon avoided impeachment by resigning in 1974.
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