If you try to keep track of every twist in American politics over the last few years, your head probably hurts. Honestly, it’s a lot. One of the biggest sagas—and one that still gets brought up in every heated Thanksgiving debate—is the double impeachment of Donald Trump.
Most people know he was the first president to be impeached twice. But if you ask the average person on the street what the actual articles of impeachment against Trump said, you usually get a blank stare or a vague mention of Russia or a phone call.
It wasn’t just one thing. It was a complex series of legal maneuvers, constitutional theories, and raw political drama that spanned from 2019 to 2021.
The First Round: Ukraine and the "Perfect" Call
The first time the House of Representatives moved to impeach was in December 2019. This whole thing kicked off because of a whistleblower complaint about a phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Democrats, led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff, argued that Trump was using $400 million in military aid as leverage. Basically, they said he was holding that money hostage until Ukraine agreed to investigate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter.
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Article I: Abuse of Power
This was the big one. The House alleged that Trump used the high powers of his office to solicit foreign interference in the 2020 election. They argued he wasn’t doing it for the country; he was doing it for himself. Legal scholars like Noah Feldman and Pamela Karlan testified that this was exactly the kind of "high crime" the Founders were worried about—a president using the office for personal gain.
Article II: Obstruction of Congress
While the first article was about the "quid pro quo," the second was about the investigation itself. The House was ticked off because the White House told its staff not to comply with subpoenas. They didn't want to hand over documents or let people like Mick Mulvaney testify. The House argued that if a president can just ignore an investigation, the "power of impeachment" becomes a joke.
The result? The House passed both articles. The Senate, however, didn't see it that way. In February 2020, they acquitted him on both counts. Only one Republican, Mitt Romney, broke ranks to vote "guilty" on the abuse of power charge.
The Second Round: January 6th and the Final Days
The second impeachment was a different beast entirely. It was fast. It was chaotic. And it happened just days before he left office in January 2021.
This time, there was only one article: Incitement of Insurrection.
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After the Capitol riot on January 6, the House moved with record speed. They pointed to Trump's speech at the Ellipse and his months of claiming the 2020 election was stolen. They argued his words weren't just political rhetoric; they were a direct spark for the violence that followed.
What made this one different?
- Speed: The first impeachment took months of hearings. This one was drafted and voted on in a week.
- Bipartisanship: Ten Republicans joined the Democrats in the House to impeach him. That’s a record for a president's own party.
- The "Former President" Problem: By the time the Senate trial actually happened, Trump was already out of office. His defense team, including Michael van der Veen, argued you can't try a private citizen in an impeachment court.
The Senate ended up voting 57-43 to convict. That’s a majority, but in the world of impeachment, a majority isn't enough. You need two-thirds (67 votes). So, he was acquitted again.
Why the Articles Still Matter in 2026
You might think this is all ancient history. It's not. These articles set a precedent for how the Constitution is interpreted.
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For years, lawyers argued over whether you need to commit an actual crime (like a felony) to be impeached. Trump’s lawyers said yes. The House managers said no, arguing that "High Crimes and Misdemeanors" covers any gross abuse of public trust.
We’re still feeling the ripples of this today. It changed how executive privilege is used and how much power the House has to demand information from the President.
Actionable Steps for Staying Informed
If you're trying to cut through the noise of political commentary, here is how you can actually verify this information yourself:
- Read the Source Material: Don't trust a 30-second clip on social media. Go to Congress.gov and search for "H.Res. 755" (2019) and "H.Res. 24" (2021). These are the actual text of the articles.
- Check the Senate Journals: If you want to see exactly how your specific Senator voted, the Senate.gov roll call votes are public record. It's the only way to see the "Guilty" vs. "Not Guilty" tallies without the spin.
- Follow Non-Partisan Legal Blogs: Sites like Lawfare or the National Constitution Center provide deep dives into the legal mechanics without the campaign-style rhetoric.
Understanding these documents isn't just about the past; it's about knowing the rules of the game for the future of the presidency.