What does it mean when someone is impeached?

When someone is impeached, it specifically means that they have been formally charged with wrongdoing. This process is part of a legislative procedure through which a government official, often a president or other high ranking official, can be accused of unlawful behavior. Impeachment itself does not result in immediate removal from office; rather, it initiates a process that may lead to a trial where evidence is presented and arguments are made regarding the alleged misconduct.

The formal charges, also known as articles of impeachment, are brought forward by the legislative body, typically the House of Representatives in the United States. If a majority of the House votes in favor of impeachment, the official is impeached, but this is just the beginning of a potentially lengthy process. Following impeachment, the Senate would conduct a trial, and only with a two-thirds majority vote can the official be removed from office.

Understanding this process highlights the significance of impeachment as a mechanism for holding officials accountable without presuming guilt until the trial has concluded. Thus, while impeachment implies serious allegations, it does not equate to automatic removal or denote a specific type of crime, such as a felony.