libterm.com Expulsion is a formal process used by institutions to remove individuals for serious violations of rules or policies, often resulting in permanent separation. This action impacts your reputation and future opportunities, making it crucial to understand the grounds and procedures involved. Explore the full article to learn how expulsion works and what steps you can take if faced with it.
Table of Comparison
| Aspect | Expulsion | Impeachment |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Removal of a member from a legislative body | Formal charge of misconduct against a public official |
| Scope | Legislators only | Executive, judicial, and some legislative officials |
| Authority | Legislative chamber | Legislative body (House for charges, Senate for trial) |
| Grounds | Misconduct, criminal behavior, violation of rules | High crimes, misdemeanors, abuses of power |
| Process | Investigation, vote, typically 2/3 majority | Investigation, House vote to impeach, Senate trial, conviction by 2/3 majority |
| Outcome | Removal from legislative office | Removal from office and possible disqualification from future office |
| Example | Expulsion of Senator William Blount (1797) | Impeachment of President Andrew Johnson (1868) |
Introduction: Understanding Expulsion vs Impeachment
Expulsion and impeachment serve distinct roles in government accountability, targeting members within legislative and executive branches respectively. Expulsion is the removal of a sitting legislator from their chamber due to misconduct, requiring a supermajority vote. Impeachment involves formal charges against a high-ranking official, such as the president or judge, leading to trial and possible removal from office upon conviction.
Definition of Expulsion
Expulsion is a formal process by which a legislative body removes a member for misconduct, requiring a supermajority vote. It differs from impeachment, which is primarily a procedure to charge high-ranking officials, such as presidents or judges, with wrongdoing and may lead to removal from office. Expulsion is typically confined to legislative members and addresses violations of ethical or legal standards within the legislative context.
Definition of Impeachment
Impeachment is the formal process by which a legislative body, such as the U.S. Congress, charges a government official, including the president, with misconduct or crimes while in office. This constitutional mechanism serves as the initial step in removing officials accused of "high crimes and misdemeanors," leading to a trial in the Senate to determine guilt and potential removal from office. Unlike expulsion, which is the removal of a member from a legislative body by that body's own vote, impeachment involves charges and potential removal from government office through a legal and political process.
Historical Origins of Both Processes
Expulsion and impeachment both originated from British parliamentary practices established to maintain governmental integrity and accountability. Expulsion historically served as a disciplinary measure within legislative bodies to remove members guilty of misconduct, whereas impeachment developed as a constitutional procedure allowing legislative bodies to charge and try public officials for high crimes and misdemeanors. The United States inherited these processes, with impeachment rooted in its 18th-century constitutional framework and expulsion reflected in the rules of Congress for maintaining member discipline.
Key Differences Between Expulsion and Impeachment
Expulsion is the removal of a member from a legislative body by that body itself, whereas impeachment is a formal charge or accusation against a public official, typically leading to a trial and potential removal from office. Expulsion requires a legislative vote, often a two-thirds majority, to remove a member who violates rules or ethics, while impeachment begins in the lower house and may result in a trial in the upper house or senate. Key differences include expulsion's focus on internal legislative discipline versus impeachment's broader constitutional process targeting executive or judicial officials for misconduct.
Legal Procedures: How Expulsion Works
Expulsion is a formal process used by legislative bodies to remove a member due to misconduct, requiring a specified vote threshold, often a two-thirds majority. The process typically begins with an ethics committee investigation, followed by a proposed resolution presented to the full chamber for a vote. Unlike impeachment, expulsion is entirely internal to the legislative body and results in immediate removal without judicial involvement.
Legal Procedures: How Impeachment Works
Impeachment is a constitutional process used to charge high-ranking officials, such as the President or federal judges, with misconduct or crimes, initiated by the House of Representatives. After the House votes to impeach, the Senate conducts a trial to determine whether to convict and remove the official from office, requiring a two-thirds majority vote. This legal procedure is distinct from expulsion, which is the removal of a member from a legislative body by that body's own vote, typically requiring only a simple majority.
Notable Cases of Expulsion in History
Notable cases of expulsion in history include the 1861 expulsion of Southern members from the U.S. Congress during the Civil War for supporting the Confederacy. Another significant instance is the 1980 expulsion of Michael Myers from the U.S. House of Representatives due to mail fraud and conspiracy charges, marking a rare instance of expulsion for criminal conduct. These historical expulsions demonstrate the legislative body's authority to remove members for disloyalty or serious misconduct, differentiating from impeachment which is a judicial process primarily for executive or judicial officials.
Notable Impeachment Proceedings
Notable impeachment proceedings in U.S. history include the cases of Presidents Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump, who each faced charges initiated in the House of Representatives but were acquitted by the Senate. Unlike expulsion, which removes a member from Congress for misconduct and requires a two-thirds House vote, impeachment is a constitutional process to charge and potentially remove a sitting president or federal official. Impeachment proceedings involve formal allegations of "high crimes and misdemeanors," highlighting the distinct legal and political mechanisms compared to expulsion within legislative bodies.
Impact and Consequences of Each Process
Expulsion removes a legislator immediately from office, often resulting in the loss of political influence, benefits, and public trust, thereby affecting their career and party dynamics significantly. Impeachment initiates a formal charge or trial, potentially leading to removal from office and disqualification from future positions, impacting governance stability and public confidence in leadership. Both processes serve as critical mechanisms of accountability but differ in procedural scope and political ramifications.
Expulsion Infographic
