Articles of Clinton Impeachment, House Judiciary Committee (December 12, 1998)
The House Judiciary Committee issued four articles of impeachment against President Clinton, two of which, Articles I and III, were later approved by the the full House of Representatives.
Topic: The Clinton Impeachment
Please study this document and answer the following questions.
Articles of Impeachment, House Judiciary Committee, December
12, 1998
H.RES.___
Resolution Impeaching William Jefferson Clinton, President
of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.
Resolved, That William Jefferson Clinton, President of the
United States, is impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors, and that the
following articles of impeachment be exhibited to the United States Senate:
Articles of impeachment exhibited by the House of
Representatives of the United States of America in the name of itself and of the
people of the United States of America, against William Jefferson Clinton,
President of the United States of America, in maintenance and support of its
impeachment against him for high crimes and misdemeanors.
ARTICLE I
In his conduct while President of the United States, William
Jefferson Clinton, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute
the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability,
preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in
violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully
executed, has willfully corrupted and manipulated the judicial process of the
United States for his personal gain and exoneration, impeding the administration
of justice, in that:
On August 17, 1998, William Jefferson Clinton swore to tell
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth before a Federal grand
jury of the United States. Contrary to that oath, William Jefferson Clinton
willfully provided perjurious, false and misleading testimony to the grand jury
concerning: (1) the nature and details of his relationship with a subordinate
government employee; (2) prior perjurious, false and misleading testimony he
gave in a Federal civil rights action brought against him; (3) prior false and
misleading statements he allowed his attorney to make to a Federal judge in that
civil rights action; and (4) his corrupt efforts to influence the testimony of
witnesses and to impede the discovery of evidence in that civil rights action.
In doing this, William Jefferson Clinton has undermined the
integrity of his office, has brought disrepute on the Presidency, has betrayed
his trust as President, and has acted in a manner subversive of the rule of law
and justice, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.
Wherefore, William Jefferson Clinton, by such conduct,
warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office and disqualification to
hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States.
ARTICLE II
In his conduct while President of the United States, William
Jefferson Clinton, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute
the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability,
preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in
violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully
executed, has willfully corrupted and manipulated the judicial process of the
United States for his personal gain and exoneration, impeding the administration
of justice, in that:
(1) On December 23, 1997, William Jefferson Clinton, in
sworn answers to written questions asked as part of a Federal civil rights
action brought against him, willfully provided perjurious, false and misleading
testimony in response to questions deemed relevant by a Federal judge concerning
conduct and proposed conduct with subordinate employees.
(2) On January 17, 1998, William Jefferson Clinton swore
under oath to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth in a
deposition given as part of a Federal civil rights action brought against him.
Contrary to that oath, William Jefferson Clinton willfully provided perjurious,
false and misleading testimony in response to questions deemed relevant by a
Federal judge concerning the nature and details of his relationship with a
subordinate government employee and his corrupt efforts to influence the
testimony of that employee.
In all of this, William Jefferson Clinton has undermined the
integrity of his office, has brought disrepute on the Presidency, has betrayed
his trust as President, and has acted in a manner subversive of the rule of law
and justice, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.
Wherefore, William Jefferson Clinton, by such conduct,
warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office and disqualification to
hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States.
ARTICLE III
In his conduct while President of the United States, William
Jefferson Clinton, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute
the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability,
preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in
violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully
executed, has prevented, obstructed, and impeded the administration of justice,
and has to that end engaged personally, and through his subordinates and agents,
in a course of conduct or scheme designed to delay, impede, cover up, and
conceal the existence of evidence and testimony related to a Federal civil
rights action brought against him in a duly instituted judicial proceeding.
The means used to implement this course of conduct or scheme
included one or more of the following acts:
(1) On or about December 17, 1997, William Jefferson Clinton
corruptly encouraged a witness in a Federal civil rights action brought against
him to execute a sworn affidavit in that proceeding that he knew to be
perjurious, false and misleading.
(2) On or about December 17, 1997, William Jefferson Clinton
corruptly encouraged a witness in a Federal civil rights action brought against
him to give perjurious, false and misleading testimony if and when called to
testify personally in that proceeding.
(3) On or about December 28, 1997, William Jefferson Clinton
corruptly engaged in, encouraged, or supported a scheme to conceal evidence that
had been subpoenaed in a Federal civil rights action brought against him.
(4) Beginning on or about December 7, 1997, and continuing
through and including January 14, 1998, William Jefferson Clinton intensified
and succeeded in an effort to secure job assistance to a witness in a Federal
civil rights action brought against him in order to corruptly prevent the
truthful testimony of that witness in that proceeding at a time when the
truthful testimony of that witness would have been harmful to him.
(5) On January 17, 1998, at his deposition in a Federal
civil rights action brought against him, William Jefferson Clinton corruptly
allowed his attorney to make false and misleading statements to a Federal judge
characterizing an affidavit, in order to prevent questioning deemed relevant by
the judge. Such false and misleading statements were subsequently acknowledged
by his attorney in a communication to that judge.
(6) On or about January 18 and January 20-21, 1998,William
Jefferson Clinton related a false and misleading account of events relevant to a
Federal civil rights action brought against him to a potential witness in that
proceeding, in order to corruptly influence the testimony of that witness.
(7) On or about January 21, 23 and 26, 1998, William
Jefferson Clinton made false and misleading statements to potential witnesses in
a Federal grand jury proceeding in order to corruptly influence the testimony of
those witnesses. The false and misleading statements made by William Jefferson
Clinton were repeated by the witnesses to the grand jury, causing the grand jury
to receive false and misleading information.
In all of this, William Jefferson Clinton has undermined the
integrity of his office, has brought disrepute on the Presidency, has betrayed
his trust as President, and has acted in a manner subversive of the rule of law
and justice, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.
Wherefore, William Jefferson Clinton, by such conduct,
warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office and disqualification to
hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States.
ARTICLE IV
Using the powers and influence of the office of President of
the United States, William Jefferson Clinton, in violation of his constitutional
oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to
the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the
United States, and in disregard of his constitutional duty to take care that the
laws be faithfully executed, has engaged in conduct that resulted in misuse and
abuse of his high office, impaired the due and proper administration of justice
and the conduct of lawful inquiries, and contravened the authority of the
legislative branch and the truth-seeking purpose of a coordinate investigative
proceeding in that, as President, William Jefferson Clinton, refused and failed
to respond to certain written requests for admission and willfully made
perjurious, false and misleading sworn statements in response to certain written
requests for admission propounded to him as part of the impeachment inquiry
authorized by the House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States.
William Jefferson Clinton, in refusing and failing to
respond, and in making perjurious, false and misleading statements, assumed to
himself functions and judgments necessary to the exercise of the sole power of
impeachment vested by the Constitution in the House of Representatives and
exhibited contempt for the inquiry.
In doing this, William Jefferson Clinton has undermined the
integrity of his office, has brought disrepute on the Presidency, has betrayed
his trust as President, and has acted in a manner subversive of the rule of law
and justice, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.
Wherefore, William Jefferson Clinton, by such conduct,
warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office and disqualification to
hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United
States.
Reference : |
America: A Narrative History, 9th Edition, Chapter 37; Inventing America, Chapter 33; Give Me Liberty, Chapter 27
|
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Answer of President William Jefferson Clinton to the Articles of Impeachment (January 11, 1999)
As the Senate trail against him began in early 1999, President Clinton responded to the House articles of impeachment.
Topic: The Clinton Impeachment
Please study this document and answer the following questions.
ANSWER OF PRESIDENT WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON TO THE ARTICLES OF
IMPEACHMENT
The Honorable William Jefferson Clinton, President of the United States, in
response to the summons of the Senate of the United States, answers the
accusations made by the House of Representatives of the United States in the two
Articles of Impeachment it has exhibited to the Senate as follows:
PREAMBLE
THE CHARGES IN THE ARTICLES DO NOT CONSTITUTE HIGH CRIMES OR MISDEMEANORS
The charges in the two Articles of Impeachment do not permit the conviction
and removal from office of a duly elected President. The President has
acknowledged conduct with Ms. Lewinsky that was improper. But Article II,
Section 4 of the Constitution provides that the President shall be removed from
office only upon "Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery or other
high Crimes and Misdemeanors." The charges in the articles do not rise to the
level of "high Crimes and Misdemeanors" as contemplated by the Founding Fathers,
and they do not satisfy the rigorous constitutional standard applied throughout
our Nations history. Accordingly, the Articles of Impeachment should be
dismissed.
THE PRESIDENT DID NOT COMMIT PERJURY OR OBSTRUCT JUSTICE
The President denies each and every material allegation of the two Articles
of Impeachment not specifically admitted in this ANSWER.
ARTICLE I
President Clinton denies that he made perjurious, false and misleading
statements before the federal grand jury on August 17, 1998.
FACTUAL RESPONSES TO ARTICLE I
Without waiving his affirmative defenses, President Clinton offers the
following factual responses to the allegations in Article I:
1.The President denies that he made perjurious, false and misleading
statements to the grand jury about "the nature and details of his relationship"
with Monica Lewinsky.
There is a myth about President Clintons testimony before the grand jury.
The myth is that the President failed to admit his improper intimate
relationship with Ms. Monica Lewinsky. The myth is perpetuated by Article I,
which accuses the President of lying about "the nature and details of his
relationship" with Ms. Lewinsky.
The fact is that the President specifically acknowledged to the grand jury
that he had an improper intimate relationship with Ms. Lewinsky. He said so,
plainly and clearly: "When I was alone with Ms. Lewinsky on certain occasions in
early 1996 and once in early 1997, I engaged in conduct that was wrong. These
encounters . . . did involve inappropriate intimate contact." The President
described to the grand jury how the relationship began and how it ended at his
insistence early in 1997 -- long before any public attention or scrutiny. He
also described to the grand jury how he had attempted to testify in the
deposition in the Jones case months earlier without having to acknowledge to the
Jones lawyers what he ultimately admitted to the grand jury -- that he had an
improper intimate relationship with Ms. Lewinsky.
The President read a prepared statement to the grand jury acknowledging his
relationship with Ms. Lewinsky. The statement was offered at the beginning of
his testimony to focus the questioning in a manner that would allow the Office
of Independent Counsel to obtain necessary information without unduly dwelling
on the salacious details of the relationship. The Presidents statement was
followed by almost four hours of questioning. If it is charged that his
statement was in any respect perjurious, false and misleading, the President
denies it. The President also denies that the statement was in any way an
attempt to thwart the investigation.
The President states, as he did during his grand jury testimony, that he
engaged in improper physical contact with Ms. Lewinsky. The President was
truthful when he testified before the grand jury that he did not engage in
sexual relations with Ms. Lewinsky as he understood that term to be defined by
the Jones lawyers during their questioning of him in that deposition. The
President further denies that his other statements to the grand jury about the
nature and details of his relationship with Ms. Lewinsky were perjurious, false,
and misleading.
2.The President denies that he made perjurious, false and misleading
statements to the grand jury when he testified about statements he had made in
the Jones deposition.
There is a second myth about the Presidents testimony before the grand jury.
The myth is that the President adopted his entire Jones deposition testimony in
the grand jury. The President was not asked to and did not broadly restate or
reaffirm his Jones deposition testimony. Instead, in the grand jury he discussed
the bases for certain answers he gave. The President testified truthfully in the
grand jury about statements he made in the Jones deposition. The President
stated to the grand jury that he did not attempt to be helpful to or assist the
lawyers in the Jones deposition in their quest for information about his
relationship with Ms. Lewinsky. He truthfully explained to the grand jury his
efforts to answer the questions in the Jones deposition without disclosing his
relationship with Ms. Lewinsky. Accordingly, the full, underlying Jones
deposition is not before the Senate.
Indeed, the House specifically considered and rejected an article of
impeachment based on the Presidents deposition in the Jones case. The House
managers should not be allowed to prosecute before the Senate an article of
impeachment which the full House has rejected.
3.The President denies that he made perjurious, false and misleading
statements to the grand jury about "statements he allowed his attorney to make"
during the Jones deposition.
The President denies that he made perjurious, false and misleading statements
to the grand jury about the statements his attorney made during the Jones
deposition. The President was truthful when he explained to the grand jury his
understanding of certain statements made by his lawyer, Robert Bennett, during
the Jones deposition. The President also was truthful when he testified that he
was not focusing on the prolonged and complicated exchange between the attorneys
and Judge Wright.
4.The President denies that he made perjurious, false and misleading
statements to the grand jury concerning alleged efforts "to influence the
testimony of witnesses and to impede the discovery of evidence" in the Jones
case.
For the reasons discussed more fully in response to ARTICLE II, the President
denies that he attempted to influence the testimony of any witness or to impede
the discovery of evidence in the Jones case. Thus, the President denies that he
made perjurious, false and misleading statements before the grand jury when he
testified about these matters.
ARTICLE II
President Clinton denies that he obstructed justice in either the Jones case
or the Lewinsky grand jury investigation.
FACTUAL RESPONSES TO ARTICLE II
Without waiving his affirmative defenses, President Clinton offers the
following factual responses to the allegations in Article II:
1.The President denies that on or about December 17, 1997, he "corruptly
encouraged" Monica Lewinsky "to execute a sworn affidavit in that proceeding
that he knew to be perjurious, false and misleading."
The President denies that he encouraged Monica Lewinsky to execute a false
affidavit in the Jones case. Ms. Lewinsky, the only witness cited in support of
this allegation, denies this allegation as well. Her testimony and proffered
statements are clear and unmistakable:
"[N]o one ever asked me to lie and I was never promised a job for my
silence."
"Neither the President nor anyone ever directed Lewinsky to say anything or
to lie . . ."
"Neither the Pres[ident] nor Mr. Jordan (or anyone on their behalf) asked or
encouraged Ms. L[ewinsky] to lie."
The President states that, sometime in December 1997, Ms. Lewinsky asked him
whether she might be able to avoid testifying in the Jones case because she knew
nothing about Ms. Jones or the case. The President further states that he told
her he believed other witnesses had executed affidavits, and there was a chance
they would not have to testify. The President denies that he ever asked,
encouraged or suggested that Ms. Lewinsky file a false affidavit or lie. The
President states that he believed that Ms. Lewinsky could have filed a limited
but truthful affidavit that might have enabled her to avoid having to testify in
the Jones case.
2.The President denies that on or about December 17, 1997, he "corruptly
encouraged" Monica Lewinsky "to give perjurious, false and misleading testimony
if and when called to testify personally" in the Jones litigation.
Again, the President denies that he encouraged Ms. Lewinsky to lie if and
when called to testify personally in the Jones case. The testimony and proffered
statements of Monica Lewinsky, the only witness cited in support of this
allegation, are clear and unmistakable:
"[N]o one ever asked me to lie and I was never promised a job for my
silence."
"Neither the President nor anyone ever directed Lewinsky to say anything or
to lie . . ."
"Neither the Pres[ident] nor Mr. Jordan (or anyone on their behalf) asked or
encouraged Ms. L[ewinsky] to lie."
The President states that, prior to Ms. Lewinskys involvement in the Jones
case, he and Ms. Lewinsky might have talked about what to do to conceal their
relationship from others. Ms. Lewinsky was not a witness in any legal proceeding
at that time. Ms. Lewinskys own testimony and statements support the
Presidents recollection. Ms. Lewinsky testified that she "pretty much can"
exclude the possibility that she and the President ever had discussions about
denying the relationship after she learned she was a witness in the Jones case.
Ms. Lewinsky also stated that "they did not discuss the issue [of what to say
about their relationship] in specific relation to the Jones matter," and that
"she does not believe they discussed the content of any deposition that [she]
might be involved in at a later date."
3.The President denies that on or about December 28, 1997, he "corruptly
engaged in, encouraged, or supported a scheme to conceal evidence" in the Jones
case.
The President denies that he engaged in, encouraged, or supported any scheme
to conceal evidence from discovery in the Jones case, including any gifts he had
given to Ms. Lewinsky. The President states that he gave numerous gifts to Ms.
Lewinsky prior to December 28, 1997. The President states that, sometime in
December, Ms. Lewinsky inquired as to what to do if she were asked in the Jones
case about the gifts he had given her, to which the President responded that she
would have to turn over whatever she had. The President states that he was
unconcerned about having given her gifts and, in fact, that he gave Ms. Lewinsky
additional gifts on December 28, 1997. The President denies that he ever asked
his secretary, Ms. Betty Currie, to retrieve gifts he had given Ms. Lewinsky, or
that he ever asked, encouraged, or suggested that Ms. Lewinsky conceal the
gifts. Ms. Currie told prosecutors as early as January 1998 and repeatedly
thereafter that it was Ms. Lewinsky who had contacted her about retrieving
gifts.
4.The President denies that he obstructed justice in connection with Monica
Lewinskys efforts to obtain a job in New York to "corruptly prevent" her
"truthful testimony" in the Jones case.
The President denies that he obstructed justice in connection with Ms.
Lewinskys job search in New York or sought to prevent her truthful testimony in
the Jones case. The President states that he discussed with Ms. Lewinsky her
desire to obtain a job in New York months before she was listed as a potential
witness in the Jones case. Indeed, Ms. Lewinsky was offered a job in New York at
the United Nations more than a month before she was identified as a possible
witness. The President also states that he believes that Ms. Lewinsky raised
with him, again before she was ever listed as a possible witness in the Jones
case, the prospect of having Mr. Vernon Jordan assist in her job search. Ms.
Lewinsky corroborates his recollection that it was her idea to ask for Mr.
Jordans help. The President also states that he was aware that Mr. Jordan was
assisting Ms. Lewinsky to obtain employment in New York. The President denies
that any of these efforts had any connection whatsoever to Ms. Lewinskys status
as a possible or actual witness in the Jones case. Ms. Lewinsky forcefully
confirmed the Presidents denial when she testified, "I was never promised a job
for my silence."
5.The President denies that he "corruptly allowed his attorney to make false
and misleading statements to a Federal judge" concerning Monica Lewinskys
affidavit.
The President denies that he corruptly allowed his attorney to make false and
misleading statements concerning Ms. Lewinskys affidavit to a Federal judge
during the Jones deposition. The President denies that he was focusing his
attention on the prolonged and complicated exchange between his attorney and
Judge Wright.
6.The President denies that he obstructed justice by relating "false and
misleading statements" to "a potential witness," Betty Currie, "in order to
corruptly influence [her] testimony."
The President denies that he obstructed justice or endeavored in any way to
influence any potential testimony of Ms. Betty Currie. The President states that
he spoke with Ms. Currie on January 18, 1998. The President testified that, in
that conversation, he was trying to find out what the facts were, what Ms.
Curries perception was, and whether his own recollection was correct about
certain aspects of his relationship with Ms. Lewinsky. Ms. Currie testified that
she felt no pressure "whatsoever" from the Presidents statements and no
pressure "to agree with [her] boss." The President denies knowing or believing
that Ms. Currie would be a witness in any proceeding at the time of this
conversation. Ms. Currie had not been on any of the witness lists proffered by
the Jones lawyers. President Clinton states that, after the Independent Counsel
investigation became public, when Ms. Currie was scheduled to testify, he told
Ms. Currie to "tell the truth."
7.The President denies that he obstructed justice when he relayed allegedly
"false and misleading statements" to his aides.
The President denies that he obstructed justice when he misled his aides
about the nature of his relationship with Ms. Lewinsky in the days immediately
following the public revelation of the Lewinsky investigation. The President
acknowledges that, in the days following the January 21, 1998 Washington Post
article, he misled his family, his friends and staff, and the Nation to conceal
the nature of his relationship with Ms. Lewinsky. He sought to avoid disclosing
his personal wrongdoing to protect his family and himself from hurt and public
embarrassment. The President profoundly regrets his actions, and he has
apologized to his family, his friends and staff, and the Nation. The President
denies that he had any corrupt purpose or any intent to influence the ongoing
grand jury proceedings.
Reference : |
America: A Narrative History, 9th Edition, Chapter 37; Inventing America, Chapter 33; Give Me Liberty, Chapter 27
|
Click here for sample answers | Read the document again
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Observation |
1. What type of document is this? (Ex. Newspaper, telegram, map, letter, memorandum, congressional record) |
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2. fiogf49gjkf0d For what audience was the document written? |
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Expression |
3. What do you find interesting or important about this document? |
|
|
4. fiogf49gjkf0d Is there a particular phrase or section that you find particularly meaningful or surprising? |
|
|
Connection |
5. What does this document tell you about life in this culture at the time it was written? |
|
|
Submit to Gradebook: