Although it may soon come to an end, the topic of impeachment is everywhere right now. We may know some buzzwords and have a vague sense of the concept, but I find that it’s so easy to not know the basics behind impeachment. So, here’s Part I of my attempt to do some explaining of the impeachment process in general.
The first page of this explainer comic shows a person with their hands over their eyes, distressed, saying, “Help! Need basics!” Out of there head is a tornado filled with color and words relating to impeachment. By Maddy Buck 2020.
The text of this illustration says, “What is impeachment? It is a procedure for removing certain public officials from office for committing ‘treason, bribery, or other high Crimes and misdemeanors.’ “ Below the text is a Constitution scroll with arms and legs saying “Those are my words!” The illustration is colorful.
This illustration says “How does it work? First the U.S. House of Representatives must impeach (accuse) the individual. Then the U.S. Senate must decide to convict the individual and remove them from office.” The image is of the U.S. Capitol with the words “House of Representatives” drawn into the left side and the “Senate” drawn into the right side.
The text on this page says, “The House must vote to impeach (accuse) the individual for committing ‘treason, bribery, or other high Crimes and misdemeanors.” This does NOT remove the individual from office. The illustration shows the House side of Congress, with arms and legs, holding a paper showing itself pointing at a suited figure. Below is an equation, that is words and pictures: The House’s Impeachment does not equal the House kicking that person from office.
In this panel, the text says, “Then the Senate holds a trial to evaluate the House’s impeachment (their accusation of misconduct). The Senate then votes on the rules of the trial, listens to the arguments, and votes (like a jury) on whether to convict and remove.” We see this is by Maddy Buck. The illustration shows the right side of the U.S. Capitol with some stick figure people behind benches voting.
In this panel, the illustration shows the Senate side of Congress, with arms and legs. It shows the Senate divided into “Yes, convict and remove” and “No, don’t.” The percentage that says, “Yes” appears to be larger than the “No” votes, so the Senate figure is kicking the suited figure out with its foot. The text says, “If 2/3 of the Senate votes to convict the impeached individual, that vote removes the individual from office.”
The text on this panel says, “SAYS WHO? The U.S. Constitution lays out this framework. House and Senate rules cover the detailed procedure within the House’s impeachment and the Senate’s trial. Next up: What are the exact words the Constitution uses to describe impeachment and removal?” The illustration is of the Constitution, in pale yellow, a pointing at itself. It has arms and legs.