As of now, Donald Trump has been impeached twice by the U.S. House but was acquitted by the Senate both times, so he is not currently removed from office. Impeachment is a House action that charges a president with misconduct and does not remove them from power. A Senate trial follows, and a two-thirds vote is required to convict and remove. This explainer outlines the verified facts, dates, and outcomes, and clarifies common misunderstandings about impeachment versus removal and what each step means going forward.
Verified impeachment status for Donald Trump
Trump has been impeached twice and tried by the Senate both times. He was first impeached in December 2019 and acquitted in February 2020. He was impeached a second time in January 2021, following the Capitol events, and again acquitted in February 2021. Neither resulted in removal from office. The House alone votes on impeachment; the Senate holds the trial and votes on conviction and removal. No president in U.S. history has been removed by impeachment and conviction.
Impeachment vs removal: core definitions
Impeachment is the constitutional process by which the House brings charges against a federal official, including the president, for misconduct. It requires a simple majority vote. Removal occurs only if the Senate convicts following a trial, which requires a two-thirds supermajority. Impeachment does not automatically mean removal. Between presidential terms, impeachment cannot remove an official because no office is held at that moment; however, the Senate can still vote to disqualify a person from future federal office with a simple majority. Both steps are distinct and sequential in the constitutional process.
First impeachment: 2019
In 2019, the House impeached President Trump on two articles: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The articles centered on allegations that he conditioned military aid on a public investigation of a political rival. The House passed both articles largely along party lines. The Senate trial in early 2020 ended in acquittal, with the necessary two-thirds majority not reached on either article.
Key dates and Senate outcome
The first impeachment timeline includes the House passage in December 2019 and the Senate trial in January–February 2020, ending in acquittal.
| Date | Event | Outcome | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 18, 2019 | House impeaches on two articles | Adoption of articles | Abuse of power and obstruction of Congress |
| Jan 16–Jan 31, 2020 | Senate trial and deliberation | Acquittal on both articles | Not guilty on each article; no conviction |
| Feb 5, 2020 | Acquittal vote concludes | President remains in office | Failed to reach two-thirds threshold |
Second impeachment: 2021
In January 2021, the House impeached President Trump a second time, one week after the Capitol attack. The single article charged incitement of insurrection. The Senate trial followed, with the majority of senators voting that the trial was constitutional and subsequently voting on the merits. The final vote on conviction fell short of the two-thirds required for removal.
Key dates and Senate outcome
The second impeachment and trial addressed whether a former president could be tried after leaving office and whether incitement of insurrection met the constitutional threshold. The Senate did not convict.
| Date | Event | Outcome | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 13, 2021 | House impeaches on one article | Adoption of article | Incitement of insurrection following Capitol events |
| Jan 25–Feb 13, 2021 | Senate trial and deliberation | Acquittal | Not guilty; trial concluded after former president was no longer in office |
Impeachment versus removal: clarifying common confusion
- Impeachment is a formal accusation by the House; removal is the consequence only if the Senate convicts.
- A president can be impeached and remain in office if the Senate does not convict.
- Disqualification from future office requires a separate vote by the Senate and a simple majority; it is not automatic with impeachment or conviction.
- No U.S. president has ever been removed from office by impeachment and conviction.
Constitutional mechanics and thresholds
The Constitution assigns the House the sole power to impeach and the Senate the sole power to try impeachments. Conviction and removal require a two-thirds vote of senators present. Impeachment does not carry criminal penalties; it is a political process. Disqualification from future office is a possible additional remedy but requires a simple majority vote in the Senate. These rules make removal intentionally difficult, preserving stability in the executive branch.
Practical meanings and consequences
For the presidency, impeachment results in a public trial in the Senate and can be politically consequential even without removal. A president who is impeached and acquitted remains in office with full constitutional powers. Future eligibility for office is not automatically affected, though a Senate disqualification vote can bar reelection or holding federal office. Impeachment does not imply criminal guilt or innocence; it is a constitutional mechanism for accountability. The process shapes public trust, institutional norms, and the balance of power among branches.
Frequently asked questions
- What does it mean to be impeached? It means the House has formally charged a president with misconduct, but it does not remove them from office.
- Can a president be removed after impeachment? Only if the Senate convicts by a two-thirds majority; otherwise the president remains in office.
- Can a former president be tried after leaving office? Yes, the Senate can conduct a trial for disqualification or other purposes even after a president leaves office, but removal from current office is not possible.
- What is the difference between impeachment and criminal prosecution? Impeachment is a constitutional political process; criminal prosecution follows justice system procedures and can occur later.
- Has any president been removed by impeachment? No; no U.S. president has been removed from office by impeachment and conviction.
- What happens to a president after acquittal? They remain in office and continue to exercise the powers of the presidency.
Where to find official records
For authoritative details, consult congressional records, the House journal, the Senate trial transcript, and statements from the Senate Parliamentarian or Congressional Research Service. Reliable summaries are available from nonpartisan institutions, the National Archives, and Government Publishing Office sources.