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'''Impeachment and removal''' are the two steps in taking a high [[government]] official, such as a [[President]], [[Congressman]] or a [[judge]], from his position. It is typically used in cases of [[malfeasance]] (see also [[recall election]]).  

'''Impeachment and removal''' are the two steps in taking a high [[government]] official, such as a [[President]], [[Congressman]] or a [[judge]], from his position. It is typically used in cases of [[malfeasance]] (see also [[recall election]]).  

The first step, ''impeachment'', is a formal accusation by a simple majority of the [[House of Representatives]]. This vote leaves the accused in office, while he is "tried" by the [[Senate]]. A two-thirds majority vote in the Senate is necessary in order to remove someone from office.

The first step, ''impeachment'', is a formal accusation by a simple majority of the [[House of Representatives]]. This vote leaves the accused in office, while he is "tried" by the [[Senate]]. A two-thirds majority vote in the Senate is necessary in order to remove someone from office.  If the person is in office at the time of trial, s/he can also be disqualified from holding future office along with removal, but if the person is already out of office they can only be disqualified.

In all of American history, "Two Presidents, one Senator, one cabinet officer, and fifteen judges have been impeached, and of those only eight judges have been convicted and removed from office."<ref name="Const Ctr">https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/interpretation/article-ii/clauses/349</ref>  Inclusion of the impeachment clause in the [[U.S. Constitution]] was supported by [[Benjamin Franklin]].

In all of American history, "Two Presidents, one Senator, one cabinet officer, and fifteen judges have been impeached, and of those only eight judges have been convicted and removed from office."<ref name="Const Ctr">https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/interpretation/article-ii/clauses/349</ref>  Inclusion of the impeachment clause in the [[U.S. Constitution]] was supported by [[Benjamin Franklin]].