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Old 11-07-18, 04:14 PM   #5816
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Platapus View Post
Technically and legally no. But it may be a matter of semantics. It is common for people to confuse impeachment with conviction for that impeachment.

This is why it is more appropriately referred to as impeachment and Removal as that describes the two related but separate actions. (Article 1 s 3 and article 2 s 4)

The only powers the Senate has is to either convict or acquit. Regardless of their decision, the impeachment charge is a matter of history. This is why Presidents Johnson and Clinton are considered impeached.... just acquitted. Acquittal does not remove the record of impeachment.

It is just like for an ordinary citizen who is indicted and tried. Even if they are acquitted, there is still a record of the indictment.

There is nothing that the Senate can do to affect the House's decision to impeach. The rules were put in place to keep the power of impeachment and the power of conviction separate.
That may be legally very important to discriminate between the process and the final outcome, but the general understanding of the term in Germany and I think in English language as well is that impeachement implies "successfully doing so" (the person gets kicked). The Senate will not allow an impeachment to be succesfull. And thats what it is about. Trump is not the kind of sensible nature that cries lonely in his bed in the night over having had such a trial in his biography - as long as it was tried unsuccessful. He probably would even boast with it.
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