Why were there impeachment proceedings against U.S. President William Clinton?
In December 1998, members of the U.S. House of Representatives (the lower house of Congress) brought eleven counts of impeachment (charges of misconduct in office) against President William Clinton (1946– ). He was accused of making a false statement under oath in a court of law (committing perjury) and interfering with the judicial system (obstructing justice). The movement for impeachment began after Clinton denied that he had had an improper relationship with a young woman who was on staff at the White House during his first administration. An investigation was then conducted by the office of special prosecutor (a lawyer who presents evidence of a crime) Kenneth Starr (1946– ), and the allegations were found to be true. The president was then charged with perjury (lying) and obstruction of justice (trying…
