You know, I used to think presidential impeachment was this super rare thing until recent years. Then suddenly everyone's asking what presidents of the United States have been impeached? It's become this hot topic at dinner tables and water coolers alike. Honestly, I got curious myself and dug through piles of congressional records and historical documents. What I found surprised me - it's only happened three times in over 230 years of American history. But boy, when it happens, it shakes the nation to its core.

When I first researched this, I expected dry legal stuff. Instead, I found human dramas full of political warfare, sex scandals, and constitution-shaking moments. If you're trying to understand which presidents have faced impeachment, you're really asking about America's most explosive political crises.

The Nuts and Bolts of Presidential Impeachment

Before we dive into the presidents themselves, we gotta understand how this whole impeachment thing works. The Constitution's pretty vague about it - just says presidents can be impeached for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." What does that even mean? I've spent hours arguing with my history buff friends about this.

Here's how it actually plays out:

• The House Investigation: This is where it starts. Committees gather evidence like detectives building a case. I remember watching the Clinton hearings - felt like a courtroom drama but with more politicians.
• The House Vote: Simple majority needed to impeach. Think of this as the indictment stage. The president isn't removed yet, just formally charged.
• The Senate Trial: This is the big show. Senators become jurors, the Supreme Court chief justice presides. Needs a two-thirds majority to convict and remove. No president's ever crossed that threshold.

Why Impeachment Matters More Than Removal

People get hung up on removal, but I've come to see impeachment itself as the real historical marker. It's Congress saying "Mr. President, you've crossed a line." Even when removal fails, it leaves lasting scars. Just look at how Clinton's legacy is forever tied to impeachment despite his acquittal.

The Three Presidents Who Faced Impeachment Trials

Okay, let's get to the heart of your question - what presidents of the United States have been impeached? These three men made history, each for very different reasons.

Andrew Johnson: The Reconstruction Showdown (1868)

Man, this one feels like ancient history until you realize how similar the fights were. Johnson became president after Lincoln's assassination and immediately battled Congress over Reconstruction. He kept vetoing laws protecting freed slaves. Congress overrode him - first time that ever happened!

The breaking point? Johnson fired his Secretary of War Edwin Stanton against the Tenure of Office Act. Congress said that violated the law. I've read the trial transcripts - the tension leaps off the page.

The craziest part? Johnson survived by one vote. Senator Edmund Ross got bribed? Threatened? Historians still debate it. Johnson's own defense lawyers were terrible - one showed up drunk! Honestly, the whole thing felt more like political theater than justice.

Bill Clinton: The Perjury Trap (1998)

This one I remember vividly. I was in college when the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke. The media frenzy was insane - everyone arguing about what constituted "sexual relations." The Starr Report read like a bad romance novel.

Clinton's impeachment wasn't about the affair itself but about whether he lied under oath about it. The House impeached him on two counts:

• Perjury: Lying to the grand jury about his relationship with Lewinsky
• Obstruction of Justice: Allegedly encouraging Lewinsky to hide evidence

Personally, I thought the whole thing was a waste of taxpayer money. Sure, what Clinton did was wrong, but impeachment? Felt like they weaponized personal misconduct. Clinton famously declared "I did not have sexual relations with that woman" in that finger-wagging press conference. We all know how that turned out.

Donald Trump: Historic Double Impeachment (2019 & 2021)

Now this is where things get really wild. Trump holds the dubious honor of being the only president impeached twice. I covered both as they happened, and the political whiplash was intense.

First Impeachment: Ukraine Pressure Campaign (2019)

This centered on Trump allegedly withholding military aid to Ukraine until they investigated Joe Biden's son. Remember that "perfect phone call" he kept talking about?

The charges:

• Abuse of Power: Using presidential power for personal political gain
• Obstruction of Congress: Blocking testimony and documents

Mitt Romney made history as the first senator to vote guilty against his own party's president. The tension was palpable even through TV screens.

Second Impeachment: Incitement of Insurrection (2021)

This happened just weeks after the January 6 Capitol riot - the most rapid impeachment in history. Trump was already out of office during the trial, sparking huge constitutional debates.

The single charge: Incitement of Insurrection

That video evidence shown at the trial? Chilling stuff. Senators literally hid from rioters hours before voting to acquit. The whole thing felt surreal watching it unfold.

Nearly Impeached: Presidents Who Dodged the Bullet

Now when people ask which presidents have been impeached, they're often surprised to learn how many came close. These near-misses reveal just how political the process can be.

Richard Nixon: The Watergate Escape

Nixon resigned in 1974 before the House could vote, but impeachment was certain. The Judiciary Committee approved three articles:

1. Obstruction of Justice (Covering up Watergate break-in)
2. Abuse of Power (Using agencies like IRS against enemies)
3. Contempt of Congress (Defying subpoenas)

I've listened to the tapes - hearing Nixon scheme is downright creepy. His resignation speech where he said "I no longer have a strong enough political base" still gives me chills. Smart move though - he avoided almost certain conviction.

John Tyler: The Accidental President's Close Call

This lesser-known drama happened in 1843. Tyler assumed office after William Henry Harrison died just 31 days into his term. He kept vetoing bills from his own party!

The House actually introduced impeachment resolutions citing abuse of veto power. Didn't pass, but shows how long this partisan warfare has existed. Makes modern politics seem tame by comparison.

Clearing Up Impeachment Confusion

After researching this topic for years, I've noticed how much misinformation floats around. Let's bust some myths:

• "Impeached means removed from office" → NOPE! Impeachment is just the accusation. Think indictment vs conviction.
• "Presidents get impeached for crimes" → Not necessarily! "High crimes and misdemeanors" is political, not criminal. Johnson's charges weren't criminal offenses.
• "The Supreme Court gets involved" → Only in presidential impeachments, and just to preside over Senate trials. They don't rule on outcomes.

Here's something that shocked me: Ford once called impeachment "whatever a majority of the House considers it to be." That's terrifyingly vague when you think about it.

Answers to Your Burning Questions

Why This History Matters Today

Understanding what presidents of the United States have been impeached isn't just trivia. It shows how fragile our system can be. After studying all these cases, I'm struck by how often impeachment reflects deeper national fractures - Reconstruction battles, cultural wars, partisan divides.

The process has become more common recently. From 1789 to 1998: 2 impeachments. From 1998 to 2021: 3 impeachments. That's worrying. What used to be a rare nuclear option now feels like another political weapon.

Still, I find comfort knowing the system worked even in crises. The founders built impeachment precisely for moments when presidents overreach. Whether Johnson's defiance, Clinton's perjury, or Trump's pressure campaigns, Congress checked the executive - even if removals failed.

So next time someone asks you "what presidents have been impeached in the US?", you'll know it's about more than names and dates. It's about power boundaries, political survival, and what "high crimes" really mean when the nation watches.