Final answer:
The Constitution declares that the President, Vice President, and all civil officers can be impeached and removed from office for treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. No president has ever been removed from office through this process, although some have faced impeachment proceedings.
Step-by-step explanation:
Impeachable Offenses as Defined in the U.S. Constitution, The U.S. Constitution specifically mentions certain actions as grounds for impeachment. According to Section 4 of Article II, the President, Vice President, and all civil Officers of the United States can be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
This clause ensures that executive and judicial officials, including the highest offices like the presidency, are accountable to the law. Historically, few officials have been impeached and even fewer have been convicted. Offenses that have led to impeachment proceedings include bribery, racketeering, perjury, tax evasion, incompetence, and insanity.
Impeachment is a critical check on government power, allowing Congress to remove officials from office for serious wrongdoing, securing the principle that no one is above the law. Impeachment begins with the House of Representatives, where a simple majority is needed to impeach, followed by a trial in the Senate, where a two-thirds majority is required for conviction and removal from office.
If the president is convicted and removed, the vice president would then assume the presidency. Although several presidents have faced impeachment proceedings, no president has ever been convicted and removed from office.