Impeachable Offenses

A journalistic investigation documenting the probable causes for the impeachment of President Barack Obama. In this devastating probe, New York Times bestselling authors Aaron Klein and Brenda J. Elliott expose the high crimes, misdemeanors and other offenses that Obama has committed against the United States Constitution and the limits of his office.

Using primary documents from all federal impeachments, including those for members of congress, the judiciary, and the cabinet as well as the president, Van Tassel and Finkelman evaluate what has and what has not constitued an impeachable offense, from the proceedings against Senator William Blount in 1797 to that of President Clinton in 1998. They also touch on congress' occasional attempts to use censure to tut-tut an official.

Originally published at the height of the Watergate crisis, Charles Black's classic Impeachment: A Handbook has long been the premier guide to the subject of presidential impeachment. Now thoroughly updated with new chapters by Philip Bobbitt, it remains essential reading for every concerned citizen. Praise for Impeachment: "To understand impeachment, read this book. It shows how the rule of law limits power, even of the most powerful, and reminds us that the impact of the law on our lives ultimately depends on the conscience of the individual American."--Bill Bradley, former United States senator "The most important book ever written on presidential impeachment."--Lawfare "A model of how so serious an act of state should be approached."--Wall Street Journal "A citizen's guide to impeachment. . . . Elegantly written, lucid, intelligent, and comprehensive."--New York Times Book Review "The finest text on the subject I have ever read."--Ben Wittes

One of the most significant books in constitutional history to have been published in a very long time. Hoffer and Hull brilliantly demonstrate the colonial origins of impeachment and their argument has important implications for current impeachment proceedings.

A guide to presidential impeachment outlines the process, defines the phrase "high Crimes and Misdemeanors," explains the relationship between crimes and impeachable offenses, and lists the most relevant Constitutional provisions

Contents: (1) Introduction; (2) Background: The Constitutional Framework; Judicial Decisions Related to Impeachment; Some Basic Research Tools to Assist in Impeachment Proceedings; A Brief History and Some Preliminary Issues Relating to Impeachment; Who Are ¿Civil Officers of the United States¿ Under Article II, Sec. 4 of the Constitution?; What Kinds of Conduct May Give Rise to an Impeachment?; (3) Conclusions and Other Observations.

Impeachment: What Everyone Needs to Know(R) is the step back and deep reflection on the law of impeachment that everyone needs now. Written in an accessible and lively question-and-answer format, it offers a timely explanation of the impeachment process from its very meaning to its role in politics today. The book defines the scope of impeachable offenses, and how the Constitution provides alternative procedures and sanctions for addressing misconduct in office. It explains why the only two presidential impeachments, those of Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, failed to lead to conviction, and how the impeachments of federal judges illuminate the law and politics of the process. As a legal expert and the only joint witness in the impeachment proceedings against President Clinton, author Michael J. Gerhardt also explores a question frequently asked-will Donald Trump be impeached? This book does not take a side in the debate over the possible impeachment of the president; instead, it is a primer for anyone eager to learn about impeachment's origins, practices, limitations, and alternatives.

The little understood yet great power of impeachment lodged in the Congress is dissected in this text through history by Raoul Berger, a leading scholar on the subject. He sheds new light on whether impeachment is limited to indictable crimes, on whether there is jurisdiction to impeach for misconduct outside office, and on whether impeachment must precede indictment. Berger also finds firm footing in contesting the views of one-time Judge Robert Bork and President Nixon's lawyer, James St Clair.