Q 01/05

Which Founding Father wrote Federalist 65, arguing that the Senate should try impeachments?

A) James Madison

B) John Jay

C) Alexander Hamilton

D) Gouverneur Morris

Answer · why

C) Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton called the Supreme Court an improper substitute and described impeachable offenses as abuses 'of some public trust'.

Q 02/05

Which Texas congresswoman declared 'My faith in the Constitution is whole' at the 1974 Nixon impeachment hearings?

A) Shirley Chisholm

B) Barbara Jordan

C) Bella Abzug

D) Patsy Mink

Answer · why

B) Barbara Jordan

Barbara Jordan said the 1787 Constitution's 'We, the people' had left her out, but amendment, interpretation and court decision had finally included h...

Q 03/05

The Constitution limits impeachable offences to treason, bribery and what else?

A) High crimes and misdemeanors

B) Gross negligence

C) Abuse of office

D) Conduct unbecoming an officer

Answer · why

A) High crimes and misdemeanors

High crimes and misdemeanors was George Mason's proposal, a phrase borrowed from British practice, after vaguer wording like 'maladministration' was f...

Q 04/05

Which presidential power does the Constitution explicitly withhold in impeachment cases?

A) The veto

B) Executive privilege

C) The pardon

D) Appointment

Answer · why

C) The pardon

The pardon cannot touch an impeachment, while a removed official can still be indicted and tried under ordinary law.

Q 05/05

Which House Speaker stepped down after Republicans lost seats in the 1998 midterms, weeks before Bill Clinton's impeachment?

A) Dennis Hastert

B) Newt Gingrich

C) Tom DeLay

D) Dick Armey

Answer · why

B) Newt Gingrich

Newt Gingrich had once forced Speaker Jim Wright to resign by pressing ethics charges over Wright's financial dealings.