Also known as: high crimes · high crimes and misdemeanors
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
An impeachable offense consisting of treason, bribery, or other grave misconduct involving abuse of public office or betrayal of public trust by the President, Vice President, or civil officers of the United States.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
President Henry Hoffman instructed the Attorney General to terminate a federal probe into a law firm that had arranged lobbying payments supporting his reelection. The Attorney General publicly cited resource limits as the reason for the decision. A House committee then opened hearings to determine whether the directive amounted to an impeachable offense.
President Hyun Han ordered a personnel official to dismiss career investigators examining irregularities in his travel reimbursements. A whistleblower revealed the directive to Congress after the firings occurred. House members considered whether the retaliation constituted grounds for removal proceedings.
President Hazel Hoffman directed federal agencies to expand suspicionless searches of parolees in high-crime districts without individualized suspicion. Critics argued the policy exceeded executive authority and involved misuse of office. Congress evaluated whether the directive rose to the level of an impeachable offense.
President Hope Howard pressured the Justice Department to alter juvenile court procedures nationwide to reduce reported recidivism rates. The changes bypassed established constitutional safeguards for minors. Legislators examined whether the pressure constituted an abuse warranting impeachment consideration.
President Hana Huang instructed the Attorney General to pursue prosecutions against publishers distributing materials previously deemed protected. The directive targeted specific outlets critical of the administration. A House committee assessed whether the selective enforcement qualified as serious misconduct.
President Hana Hashimoto directed federal law enforcement to intensify stops in designated urban areas based solely on location. Opponents claimed the order reflected an improper use of authority for political ends. Members of Congress initiated review to decide if the policy met the threshold for impeachment articles.
The Constitution limits removal to treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. These terms reach serious abuses of official power and betrayals of public trust rather than policy disagreements or minor errors. Congress determines whether particular facts meet this standard through the impeachment process.
Supporting sources
…to the courts of law. If he commits crimes against the state, he may be indicted and punished. Impeachment only extends to high crimes and misdemeanors in a public office . It is a mode of trial pointed out for great misdemeanors against the public." Governor Johnson surely did not contemplate that the availability of an impeachment…
…of Blasphemy and Prophaneness (1703), Laws of S. C. 4 (Grimke 1790); Act, for the Punishment of Certain Capital, and Other
…referred at least once and that 42 percent had been referred at least twice before." Certainly, these figures and the high crime
…that the interest itself is valid. That said, though, it has never been held sufficient to justify suspicionless searches. If high crime
…duty as commander to control the operations of the members of his command, permitting them to commit brutal atrocities and other high crimes
Such conduct can qualify if it amounts to an abuse of office that betrays public trust. The Constitution permits impeachment and conviction for serious self-dealing or obstruction of enforcement. Congress retains the political judgment whether the facts rise to that level.
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No other constitutional mechanism exists for involuntary removal of a sitting president for misconduct. A joint resolution, statute, or simple majority vote cannot substitute for the required House impeachment followed by Senate conviction. The text fixes both the grounds and the procedure.
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The Constitution requires only a House majority to impeach and a two-thirds Senate vote to convict. Unanimity is not necessary. Bribery is one listed ground, but other serious abuses of power also suffice.
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The standard focuses on misuse of public power, which ordinarily involves official duties. Conduct tied to official authority, such as directing enforcement decisions for personal gain, falls within the category the clause addresses.
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