Most can agree that presidential scandals involving inappropriate personal behavior can undermine confidence in political leadership.
Yet the complex story surrounding Bill Clinton's impeachment reveals difficult questions about the boundaries between public responsibility and private life that still resonate today.
This article will examine the key events and evidence surrounding the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal and impeachment inquiry, the Senate trial and ultimate acquittal, as well as the political and cultural legacy left in its wake.
Introduction to the Impeachment of Bill Clinton
The impeachment of President Bill Clinton was a significant political event in the 1990s that culminated in only the second impeachment trial of a sitting U.S. President in history.
The events leading to Clinton's impeachment began in 1994 when Paula Jones filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him. In 1998, allegations surfaced that Clinton had an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. This prompted an investigation led by Independent Counsel Ken Starr into whether Clinton committed perjury by lying under oath about his relationship with Lewinsky.
Here is a brief timeline of key events in the Clinton impeachment saga:
- January 1998 - Reports surface of Clinton's alleged affair with Lewinsky
- August 1998 - Clinton testifies he did not have sexual relations with Lewinsky
- September 1998 - The Starr Report alleges Clinton committed perjury
- October 1998 - House begins impeachment inquiry
- December 1998 - House approves 2 articles of impeachment
- January 1999 - Impeachment trial begins in the Senate
- February 1999 - Clinton acquitted of both impeachment charges
The impeachment left the country bitterly divided along partisan lines. While Clinton emerged largely unscathed politically, the scandal would forever mar his legacy as President. The saga also set the stage for even greater polarization and the ascendance of more ideologically-driven politics in America.
The Clinton–Lewinsky Scandal: A Prelude to Impeachment
The White House Affair: Clinton's Relationship with Lewinsky
President Clinton's inappropriate relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky began in November 1995. Over the next two years, they had nearly a dozen sexual encounters in the Oval Office and other areas of the White House complex. Clinton later stated he "did have a relationship with Ms. Lewinsky that was not appropriate."
Key aspects of the relationship included:
- Lewinsky was a 22-year-old White House intern when the affair began. Clinton was 49 years old and married.
- Their sexual interactions involved activities like kissing and inappropriate physical contact. Details were documented in the Starr Report.
- Clinton and Lewinsky took steps to conceal the affair, including moving their meetings to more private areas of the White House.
The Starr Report: Unveiling the Lewinsky Affair
In January 1998, allegations of the affair surfaced during discovery proceedings in the Paula Jones lawsuit against Clinton. This prompted Independent Counsel Ken Starr to expand his investigation into Clinton's dealings.
The Starr Report, released in September 1998, contained substantial evidence of the Lewinsky affair, including:
- Recordings of phone conversations between Lewinsky and Linda Tripp discussing the affair.
- Descriptions of Clinton and Lewinsky's sexual encounters provided by Lewinsky.
- Records showing Clinton was alone with Lewinsky in the Oval Office during periods where the encounters occurred.
The findings showed Clinton had lied about the affair in a sworn deposition, providing grounds to impeach him.
Clinton's Public Denial and Subsequent Apology
Initially, Clinton vehemently denied having sexual relations with Lewinsky in a public statement. However, in August 1998 he admitted to inappropriate intimate contact. Key events included:
- January 1998: Clinton stated "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky."
- August 1998: In televised remarks he admitted to a "relationship with Ms. Lewinsky that was not appropriate."
- Public outrage grew over the lies, significantly damaging Clinton's credibility.
The Role of Linda Tripp and the Blue Dress
Linda Tripp, a former White House staffer, secretly recorded phone calls with Lewinsky discussing the affair. One key exchange revealed the existence of a blue dress stained with Clinton's semen. This provided crucial DNA evidence corroborating the relationship.
The blue dress and the Tripp tapes became essential to proving Clinton's lies about the affair. Their existence left Clinton with no choice but to admit the truth. This major deception heavily contributed to the push for impeachment.
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The Impeachment Inquiry against Bill Clinton
In late 1997, an independent counsel investigation led by Ken Starr began looking into financial records related to the Whitewater controversy during Bill Clinton's time as Governor of Arkansas. This expanded to include Clinton's relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
In January 1998, allegations surfaced that Clinton had lied about the relationship during a deposition for the Paula Jones lawsuit. This prompted the House of Representatives to open an impeachment inquiry in October 1998. The inquiry focused on whether Clinton's actions constituted grounds for impeachment under the Constitution.
The House Judiciary Committee's Deliberations
The House Judiciary Committee held hearings from October to December 1998 under Chairman Henry Hyde. Over two dozen witnesses were called to testify, including:
- Independent Counsel Ken Starr
- Monica Lewinsky
- Clinton aides and advisors
The Committee examined allegations of perjury and obstruction of justice. After extensive debate, the Committee approved four articles of impeachment along party lines in December.
Articles of Impeachment: Perjury and Obstruction of Justice
The Articles of Impeachment passed by the House Judiciary Committee charged Clinton with:
- Perjury in his sworn testimony in the Paula Jones case regarding his relationship with Lewinsky
- Obstruction of justice related to encouraging Lewinsky to file a false affidavit in the Jones case
- Further instances of perjury and obstruction regarding his testimony to a federal grand jury
The charges alleged that Clinton endangered the judicial system through false statements under oath and concealing evidence.
House Vote on Impeachment: Party Lines and Defections
The full House of Representatives debated the impeachment articles for over 12 hours on December 18, 1998. They voted mostly along party lines.
The House approved two of the four articles of impeachment against Clinton - 228-206 on perjury to the grand jury, and 221-212 on obstruction of justice. Five Democrats and five Republicans broke ranks with their party leadership on the votes.
Despite some Democratic defections, the Republican-controlled House failed to reach the two-thirds majority needed to impeach on all charges. But Clinton still became just the second president to be impeached, after Andrew Johnson in 1868.
House Managers and the Presentation of the Case
Following the House impeachment vote, the approved articles were delivered to the Senate for trial.
House Republicans selected 13 "managers" to serve as prosecutors, led by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde. The managers presented opening arguments over three days, outlining Clinton's alleged offenses and the case for his removal.
But securing the two-thirds Senate majority needed to convict and remove Clinton from office remained unlikely, given continued Democratic resistance.
The Senate Trial: Acquittal and Consequences
Chief Justice William Rehnquist's Role in the Trial
Chief Justice William Rehnquist presided over the impeachment trial in the Senate, as required by the Constitution for presidential impeachment trials. His role was to maintain order and decorum, rule on procedural matters, and ensure a fair process.
Rehnquist was known for running an efficient trial, keeping the proceedings moving at a brisk pace. He limited questioning by senators and rejected numerous objections from both sides. His no-nonsense approach commanded respect in the chamber.
Prosecution and Defense: Arguments and Evidentiary Battles
The House managers acted as prosecutors, laying out their case against Clinton. They argued he committed perjury and obstruction of justice to hide his affair with Monica Lewinsky.
Clinton's defense team countered by claiming the charges didn't rise to an impeachable offense. They said his denials were to protect his private life, not deceive legal proceedings.
The Senate debated allowing witnesses such as Lewinsky or Clinton himself to testify. Ultimately no witnesses were called, a victory for Clinton's team. The existing evidence was deemed sufficient to render judgment.
Senate Deliberations and the Final Vote
After closing arguments, the Senate deliberated in closed session. Most Republicans favored conviction while Democrats held firm for acquittal.
In the final vote, the Senate was 17 votes short of a two-thirds majority needed to convict on either charge. Though impeached by the House, Clinton was acquitted in his Senate trial.
President Impeached Consequences: Clinton's Acquittal and Aftermath
Despite his acquittal, Clinton's reputation suffered damage. However, because he served out his term, there were minimal political consequences. With a booming economy and high approval ratings, Democrats gained seats in Congress after the failed impeachment.
The scandal marked a period of extreme partisanship and cynicism regarding politics. It set an ominous precedent for the threat of impeachment being used as a political weapon against presidents.
Aftermath and Legacy of the Clinton Impeachment
Public Opinion During and After the Scandal
Public opinion polls during and after the scandal showed that Clinton retained relatively high approval ratings throughout the process. His job approval rating reached 73% in December 1998 during House impeachment proceedings. Many Americans opposed impeachment, seeing the scandal as politically motivated and preferring censure over removal from office. After the trial, Clinton's approval rating remained in the mid-60s. However, his personal favorability declined.
Effect on the 2000 Presidential Election and Beyond
Al Gore distanced himself from Clinton during the 2000 campaign due to the scandal's damage to Clinton's reputation. This may have contributed to Gore's defeat. The impeachment proceedings increased partisan polarization and distrust between Democrats and Republicans in Congress, which continued in subsequent administrations.
The Legacy of Impeachment: Clinton's Presidency in Retrospect
While the scandal and impeachment tarnished Clinton's personal reputation, historians generally rank his presidency highly overall based on economic prosperity and foreign policy achievements. However, the episode demonstrated flaws in character and judgment. It also opened the door for increased use of impeachment as a political weapon.
Bill Clinton's Continued Influence and Activities Post-Presidency
Despite some criticisms, Clinton has remained active in public life through humanitarian work with the Clinton Foundation and diplomatic missions. He campaigned extensively for Democratic candidates after leaving office and gave a well-received speech at the 2012 Democratic convention. His continued visibility and political influence suggest the impeachment had limited long-term political impact.
