Al Green revealed that he is preparing to call for the impeachment of Donald Trump

A congressman in the US has called for the impeachment of Donald Trump in Congress.

How likely is a Donald Trump impeachment, what does it mean and what would happen?

Al Green today said: ‘No one is above the law and that includes the President of the United States of America.’

He said that democracy was at risk over the sacking of FBI Director James Comey because he was investigating the president.

Mr Green said: ‘This offence has occurred before our very eyes. It is perspicuous. It is easy to understand. We are talking about a president who fired the FBI director who was investigating the president for his connections to Russian involvement in the president’s election.’




He said he wasn’t doing it for political gain, but for liberty and justice for all and ‘government of the people, for the people, by the people’.

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A press conference on Donald J. Trump’s relationship with Russia A press conference on Donald J. Trump’s relationship with Russia Geplaatst door Metro op Woensdag 17 mei 2017

He tweeted earlier today saying: ‘Today on the floor of the Congress of the United States of America, I will call for the Impeachment of the President between 9am & 10am CST.’

At a press conference yesterday afternoon, Mr Green said: ‘These acts, when combined, amount to intimidation and obstruction. If the president is not above the law he should be charged by way of impeachment by the US House of Representatives.’

He added: ‘Our country is in a state of crisis. Every day Donald Trump remains president puts our democracy at risk. It’s time to take drastic, yet necessary action.’

Calls for his impeachment have grown over the last week after Mr Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, raising questions about the independence of the FBI’s investigation into links between the Trump campaign and Russia in last year’s presidential election.

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Today on the floor of the Congress of the United States of America, I will call for the Impeachment of the President between 9am & 10am CST. — Congressman Al Green (@RepAlGreen) May 17, 2017

Donald Trump is coming under increasing pressure (Picture: Getty)

He was accused of obstruction of justice and people began calling for his impeachment.

Then it emerged that Mr Trump had asked the former FBI director to drop an investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

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And just last night, it was revealed that Trump had divulged highly classified material to Russian officials in a recent Oval Office meeting.

But then Vladimir Putin dismissed the ongoing scandal, saying it was ‘political schizophrenia.’

Only two presidents have been impeached by the House of Representatives: Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton. But both were later acquitted by the Senate.

Articles of impeachment were passed against Richard Nixon in 1974 but he resigned the presidency before they could be considered by the full house.

Impeachment is enshrined in the US constitution and allows formal charges to be brought against a civil officer of government for crimes alleged to have been committed.

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The law states: ‘The President, Vice President and all Civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.’

Though considered the first step towards removal from office, it doesn’t necessarily mean the president will be kicked out.

The House of Representatives has the sole power of impeaching, while the United States Senate has the sole power to try all impeachments.



To start impeachment proceedings against a president, you need a majority vote in the House of Representatives.

When the case is tried by the Senate, a vote of at least 2/3 of those present is needed to convict and remove the president from office.

Though it is speculative and entirely dependent on each case, previous impeachments have taken around three to four months.

Andrew Johnson was fired in February 1868. One week later, the House adopted eleven articles of impeachment against the President.

The trial began on March 13, 1868 and the final vote for acquittal was on May 26, 1868.

But for Bill Clinton, his was relatively quick in comparison. The process started on December 19, 1998 and he was acquitted on February 12, 1999.

What is Impeachment? What is impeachment? Impeachment is enshrined in the US constitution and allows formal charges to be brought against a civil officer of government for crimes alleged to have been committed.

The law states: 'The President, Vice President and all Civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.' Who has the power to impeach? The House of Representatives has the sole power of impeaching, while the United States Senate has the sole power to try all impeachments. Which presidents have been impeached before? Only two presidents have been impeached by the House of Representatives: Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton. But both were later acquitted by the Senate. What is the process? The process begins with an independent investigation, either from the Department of Justice, Congress or from an appointed council.

Evidence is then handed over to the House Judiciary Committee which reviews evidence.

After debate in the House, a vote is cast on the Articles of Impeachment.

Following a vote, the Articles of Impeachment are sent over to the Senate, which prepares for a trial.

During the proceedings, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court acts as the judge, the Senate acts as the jury and the House judiciary Committee acts as the prosecution.

If two-thirds in the Senate votes against the President, they will be removed. How long does it take? Though it is speculative and entirely dependent on each case, previous impeachments have taken around three to four months. Read more: What is impeachment?