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Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

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The President's Trial Begins

January 7, 1999, was a day for the history books. At the U.S. Capitol, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court William Rehnquist and 100 Senators solemnly raised their right hands and swore to give "impartial justice" to the U.S. President. Rehnquist serves as the judge in Bill Clinton's impeachment trial; the Senators are the jurors.

The last time Senators sat in judgment of a President was in 1868, when Andrew Johnson was impeached. Johnson was not removed from office. He was found not guilty by just one vote!

A two-thirds vote--67 Senators--is needed to convict and remove Clinton from office. There are 55 Republicans and 45 Democrats in the Senate.

Last week Congressman Henry Hyde read the two articles of impeachment charging the President with lying under oath and blocking justice. The case against Clinton will be presented by 13 members of the House of Representatives.

On Friday the Senators reached an agreement on how to conduct the trial. But they put off deciding if they will call witnesses. That key decision will determine whether the trial is speedy or takes weeks.

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