December 19, 1998 was the last date the United States of America began impeachment hearings on President Bill Clinton. Since President Clinton, no other President has undergone impeachment hearing up until three-year president Donald J. Trump who may be impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors. According to The Economist, the House of Representatives announced the beginning of the impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump on September 23rd.

The impeachment process is the proceeding in which the United States legislature, starting in the House of Representatives, brings charges against the President for committing treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. While the President is being impeached, he remains in office until a trial is conducted by the Senate. The trial is run before a judge and jury, following the Constitution’s concept of habeas corpus, which is a trial by a jury of your peers. When the crime is brought before the Senate, it has officially made its way to the Federal level. Though impeachment of the President occurs at the Federal level, it can also be performed at the state level. The House has the ability to impeach federal officials, including the President, and a state’s legislature can impeach state officials, such as their governor.

It is alleged that Donald Trump directed the withholding of aid to Ukraine if they did not cooperate in investigating inappropriate business transactions by Senator Joe Biden’s son. Currently, the House of Representatives is interviewing witnesses and obtaining evidence of the high crimes and misdemeanors to present to the Senate to conduct a trial. It is projected that the House will have enough votes to proceed onto the Senate, but it is also predicted that there will not be enough votes in the Senate to complete the impeachment process. Regardless whether or not the process is successful, it will still be very embarrassing for Donald Trump and could affect his re-election.