Whitewater Trials and Impeachment of a President: 1994-99

Finally, on December 11 and 12, 1998, the committee approved four articles of impeachment. In brief, they stated:

Article I. Clinton lied to the Starr grand jury on August 17, 1998, concerning his relationship with Lewinsky, his earlier testimony in the Jones suit, false statements he permitted his lawyer to make during the Jones case, and his "corrupt efforts" to influence Lewinsky's testimony.

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Article II. Clinton committed perjury in his Jones-case deposition in denying having had sexual relations with Lewinsky.

Article III. Clinton committed obstruction of justice in both the Jones case and the Starr probe, by encouraging Lewinsky to give false testimony and hide gifts that Jones's lawyers had subpoenaed, by permitting his lawyer to introduce Lewinsky's false affidavit during his deposition, and by trying to lead his secretary, Bettie Currie, to give false testimony.

Article IV. Clinton abused the power of his high office by "frivolously and corruptly" asserting executive privilege.

On Saturday, December 19, Chairman Hyde delivered the articles of impeachment to the U.S. House of Representatives. The House voted, mostly along party lines, to approve the first two articles, but Articles III and IV were rejected. For only the second time in American history, a president had been impeached. Speaking on the White House lawn and surrounded by loyal Democrats, Clinton vowed to stay in office.