Fact Check: "Donald Trump was impeached twice during his presidency."
What We Know
Former President Donald Trump was indeed impeached twice during his time in office, making him the first president in U.S. history to face this situation. The first impeachment occurred on December 18, 2019, when the House of Representatives passed two articles of impeachment: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. This impeachment was primarily related to a phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during which Trump allegedly solicited interference in the 2020 presidential election for personal gain (Donald J. Trump - Federal Impeachment, [source-2]). The Senate trial for this impeachment took place from January 21 to February 5, 2020, resulting in Trump's acquittal on both charges, as neither article received the necessary two-thirds majority for conviction (Second impeachment trial of Donald Trump, [source-5]).
The second impeachment occurred on January 13, 2021, just a week before the end of his term. This time, Trump was impeached for incitement of insurrection following the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, where a mob of his supporters attempted to overturn the certification of the 2020 election results (New Jersey — Wikipédia, [source-4]). The Senate trial for this impeachment took place from February 9 to February 13, 2021, and again, Trump was acquitted as the vote fell short of the two-thirds majority required for conviction (Second impeachment of Donald Trump, [source-3]).
Analysis
The claim that Donald Trump was impeached twice is supported by multiple credible sources, including official government documentation and reputable news organizations. The Law Library of Congress provides a detailed account of the impeachment proceedings, confirming that Trump is the only president to have faced impeachment twice, with both instances resulting in acquittals by the Senate ([source-2]).
The BBC and NPR also reported on the historical significance of these impeachments, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of a president being impeached twice ([source-6], [source-7]). The New York Times further elaborated on the circumstances surrounding the second impeachment, detailing the events of January 6 and Trump's role in inciting the violence ([source-8]).
While the sources used are generally reliable, it is important to note that some may carry inherent biases based on their editorial slants. However, the factual nature of the impeachment process and outcomes is well-documented and corroborated across multiple independent sources.
Conclusion
The claim that "Donald Trump was impeached twice during his presidency" is True. Both impeachments were significant events in U.S. history, marking the first time a president has faced such a situation. The details surrounding each impeachment are well-documented and supported by credible sources, confirming the accuracy of the claim.
Sources
- ArtII.S4.4.9 President Donald Trump and Impeachable Offenses
- Donald J. Trump - Federal Impeachment
- Second impeachment of Donald Trump
- New Jersey — Wikipédia
- Second impeachment trial of Donald Trump
- Trump impeached for 'inciting' US Capitol riot in historic ...
- Trump Becomes 1st U.S. President To Be Impeached Twice
- Trump Impeached for Inciting Insurrection