Richard Nixon Impeachment Analysis
President Richard Nixon was found guilty and impeached for his high crimes and misdemeanors. Three articles of impeachment were
passed against Nixon, citing his crimes. The first article of impeachment was for obstruction of justice. Nixon had tried to cover up the
Watergate Scandal and make sure that none of it led back to himself. The second article of impeachment addressed Nixon's abuses of
his powers as the President of the United States. The third and final article was for contempt of Congress. Nixon hadn't gone through
the proper chain of command, he bypassed and ignored Congress on many issues. It was because of these three reasons that Nixon
was removed from his presidency.
To summarize, part of Article 2 of the Bill of Impeachment
against President Nixon reads:
"Resolved, That Richard M. Nixon, President of the United States, is impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors ...
Using the powers of the office of President of the United States, Richard M. Nixon, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to
execute the office of President of the United States ...
He has, acting personally and through his subordinates and agents, endeavored to ... cause, in violation of the constitutional rights of
citizens, income tax audits or other income tax investigations to be initiated or conducted in a discriminatory manner."
The Reagan revolution brought a large deal of power back to the president. Reagan was a strong leader and knew what his objectives
were. For the most part, the other branches of government didn't have too many problems with him. His policies may have been
debated hotly by some, but he never blatantly abused his powers enough to cause a stir.
The Congressional election of 1994 showed that Congress still held a large amount of power. Clinton's policies were curved greatly by
the newly elected Republican Congress. This is an example of how well the different branches of government can cancel each other
out.
Today, it doesn't seem as if Congress holds a substantial amount of power. The president is not held accountable for many of his
actions, and often ignores Congress. Congress, however, hasn't deemed President Obama's actions worthy of impeachment, so he will
finish his second term in office.
passed against Nixon, citing his crimes. The first article of impeachment was for obstruction of justice. Nixon had tried to cover up the
Watergate Scandal and make sure that none of it led back to himself. The second article of impeachment addressed Nixon's abuses of
his powers as the President of the United States. The third and final article was for contempt of Congress. Nixon hadn't gone through
the proper chain of command, he bypassed and ignored Congress on many issues. It was because of these three reasons that Nixon
was removed from his presidency.
To summarize, part of Article 2 of the Bill of Impeachment
against President Nixon reads:
"Resolved, That Richard M. Nixon, President of the United States, is impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors ...
Using the powers of the office of President of the United States, Richard M. Nixon, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to
execute the office of President of the United States ...
He has, acting personally and through his subordinates and agents, endeavored to ... cause, in violation of the constitutional rights of
citizens, income tax audits or other income tax investigations to be initiated or conducted in a discriminatory manner."
The Reagan revolution brought a large deal of power back to the president. Reagan was a strong leader and knew what his objectives
were. For the most part, the other branches of government didn't have too many problems with him. His policies may have been
debated hotly by some, but he never blatantly abused his powers enough to cause a stir.
The Congressional election of 1994 showed that Congress still held a large amount of power. Clinton's policies were curved greatly by
the newly elected Republican Congress. This is an example of how well the different branches of government can cancel each other
out.
Today, it doesn't seem as if Congress holds a substantial amount of power. The president is not held accountable for many of his
actions, and often ignores Congress. Congress, however, hasn't deemed President Obama's actions worthy of impeachment, so he will
finish his second term in office.