Last Tuesday, Sept. 24, Speaker of the House and Democratic representative for California’s twelfth congressional district Nancy Pelosi announced that the House of Representatives would begin impeachment inquiries into wrongdoings by President Donald Trump.

The announcement came on the heels of a leaked report by an anonymous whistleblower inside the White House. The report involves a phone call that President Donald Trump had with Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, in which President Trump promised foreign military aide to Ukraine if Zelensky would look into wrongdoings by Hunter Biden, son of presidential candidate Joe Biden. Hunter Biden had worked as a board member of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian gas company, for several years.

The revelation that President Trump had seemingly invited a foreign power to “dig up dirt” on one of his political rivals was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. With Congresswoman Pelosi and several other key Democrats—including Adam Schiff, a representative from California—steadily working their way through the impeachment process, it seems to be a long journey ahead for all.

What does Impeachment mean?

Contrary to what many might think, the impeachment process is not one that happens overnight. The process is similar to a court case, with prosecutors and defense having to look over numerous files and other evidence to create their cases and arguments.

“Impeachment is basically a trial, and we’re only in the pretrial phase right now,” said senior Meagan Carmack. Carmack is majoring in political science, Spanish and mathematics, and is president of the Political Science honor society Pi Sigma Alpha. “By starting these proceedings, it shows that House Democrats think they have enough evidence to instigate (impeachment proceedings).”

In order for a president to be found guilty of a crime, the impeachment articles must first pass through the House of Representatives and from there pass on to the Senate. A majority of two-thirds, or a supermajority, is needed in the Senate to convict an official, and they are then removed from office. In America’s history there have only been three presidents aside from Trump who have been impeached. None have ever been convicted.

“I want to caution anybody who’s optimistic because of just how lengthy the process is,” said Carmack. “This impeachment process may die in committee in the House, it may go to vote on the House floor and it may go to the Senate, but I doubt Mitch McConnell would allow something like that to go through.”

While it’s too soon to tell whether the impeachment articles will be the end of Donald Trump, these next few months will be critical to the president’s administration, and to our nation.

Article by Ryan Smith