The down low on President Trump Impeachment proceedings and related political jargon

The+down+low+on+President+Trump+Impeachment+proceedings+and+related+political+jargon

Gabrielle Krieger, Arts & Environment Editor
October 10, 2019

Key terms in the impeachment proceedings

  • Impeachment: When official charges brought against a civil government servant are investigated by the US House of Representatives (the house also responsible for issuing the charges). The trial takes place in front of the US Senate. Impeachment does not necessarily mean removal from office. 
  • Whistleblower: A whistleblower is someone who exposes the unlawful activity of a person and/or an organization.
  • Subpoena: A government issued writ (official written order) demanding a testimony and/or evidence. Failure to comply leads to legal penalties.
  • Obstruction of Justice: A crime involving holding up an official investigation by refusing to follow a government demand.

August 12: A former white house employee and current CIA agent filed a complaint against President Trump. The whistleblower’s complaint accused Trump of abusing his executive power by pressuring the Ukraine to help his bid for reelection in 2020.

 

September 24: The official impeachment inquiry into President Trump began.

 

September 25: A rough transcript of the phone call between President Trump and President Zelensky of Ukraine was released.

 

September 27: House Democrats subpoenaed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for documents about the White House’s dealings with the Ukraine. If Pompeo refuses the subpoena, it will be noted as obstruction of justice.

 

September 29: President Trump made more public accusations against the whistleblower and suggested they be unmasked. President Trump’s verbal attacks against the whistleblower were previously condemned by House Democrats as “witness intimidation.” The director of national Intelligence also called the comments “totally unprecedented.”

 

September 30: House Democrats announced President Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani was subpoenaed for documents related to Trump-Ukraine relations.

 

October 7: An intelligence officer with “firsthand knowledge” regarding the first whistleblower’s allegations against the President has come forward to corroborate them.

 

October 9: Joseph R. Biden calls for the impeachment of President Trump, accusing him of “betraying the nation,” after weeks of silence regarding the issue.