Clinton Impeached: Second President Faces Trial

The House of Representatives voted to impeach a president for only the second time in American history, and the country barely flinched. On December 19, 1998, the House approved two articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton, charging him with perjury and obstruction of justice in connection with his efforts to conceal a sexual relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. The Senate acquitted him on both charges two months later. The scandal had roots in a civil lawsuit filed by Paula Jones, who accused Clinton of sexual harassment. During a deposition in January 1998, Clinton denied under oath having "sexual relations" with Lewinsky. Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr, originally investigating the Whitewater real estate dealings, expanded his probe after receiving taped phone conversations between Lewinsky and colleague Linda Tripp. Starr's 445-page report, delivered to Congress in September, detailed the relationship in explicit terms. Clinton initially denied the affair publicly, declaring "I did not have sexual relations with that woman." He later admitted to an "inappropriate relationship" in a televised address. The House Judiciary Committee approved four articles along party lines. The full House passed two on December 19: perjury (228-206) and obstruction of justice (221-212). Two other articles failed. The Senate trial began in January 1999. Conviction required sixty-seven votes. On perjury, forty-five senators voted guilty. On obstruction, fifty voted guilty. No Democrat voted to convict on either count. Clinton served out his remaining two years with approval ratings above sixty percent, a paradox reflecting public fatigue with the investigation more than endorsement of his conduct.