Trial by Senate

Kenny Macaskill says that Richard nixon was impeached (Perspective, 12 July). He is wrong. Nixon resigned before proceedings to impeach him could be concluded.

Impeachment is often mentioned as a means of getting rid of Donald Trump. Let’s be clear. The word is misleading. It means to be charged with misconduct in public office. It is not a verdict.

Under the US Constitution, the House of Representatives, the lower House of Congress, has the sole power of impeachment. The House then acts as prosecutor when the president stands trial by the Senate, which has the sole power to try all impeachments. The Senate

must reach a guilty verdict by a two-thirds majority, otherwise the president is acquitted.

Only two US presidents have been impeached: Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1999. In each case, the Senate did not reach a twothirds majority to convict and

the president continued in office.

If Donald Trump were to be impeached, the difficulty of ousting him is clear. Despite all the demonstrations against him he looks likely to weather the storm until 2020, when he is due to

stand for re-election. That will be the time for the American people to pass judgment. CHRISTOPHER REEKIE Orchard Drive, Edinburgh