Impeachment

For this Constitution Monday, our principle comes from Article I.2.5, "The House of Representatives shall have the exclusive authority to bring impeachment charges against any federal judge or officials in the executive branch of government." The direct representatives of the people have the Right to bring charges against government officers in the judicial or executive branches for not doing their proper jobs. The Founders probably thought that this item would carry more power than it actually does because it is rarely used. Only two presidents have been impeached by the House, Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton. Neither one left office because the Senate failed to convict them. Richard Nixon resigned in order to avoid being impeached. Three federal judges and one Cabinet member have been impeached.