U.S. Constitution · Article I, Section 3, Clause 6
Impeachment Trial Clause
Alerts when a new grade, SI Solution or Think Tank idea cites Art. I, § 3, cl. 6.
Also known as: Impeachment Trial Clause
Live in the VFA record
Cited in 2 grades this month.
4 public items cite this provision · 2 in October 2026 (last month: 0)
Citations per week, last 12 weeks
The text
The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.
National Archives transcription (public domain; original spelling and capitalization). archives.gov
SI explainer
An explainer for this provision is in the queue. It appears here once it passes the SI Editorial Standard’s automated checks. The text, founding-era sources and live citations below are complete.
In the founders’ words
- “The subjects of its jurisdiction are those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men, or, in other words, from the abuse or violation of some public trust. They are of a nature which may with peculiar propriety be denominated POLITICAL, as they relate chiefly to injuries done immediately to the society itself.” Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist No. 65 (1788-03-07)
- “Mr. MADISON , objected to a trial of the President by the Senate, especially as he was to be impeached by the other branch of the Legislature, and for any act which might be called a misdemesnor. The President under these circumstances was made improperly dependent.” James Madison, Madison's Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention, September 8, 1787 (1787-09-08)
Public-domain primary sources, quoted word for word and checked against the linked text.
Leading Supreme Court cases
- Nixon v. United States, 506 U.S. 224 (1993)
Cited in the VFA record
“Where this provision is cited”
grades (2)
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H.Res. 939: Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States for high crimes and misdemeanors.
2026-10-13 · Grade A (Constitutional)
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H.Res. 537: Impeaching Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.
2026-10-13 · Grade A (Constitutional)
roll-call votes (2)
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House roll call 322 (2025): On Motion to Table on H RES 939
2025-12-11 · Passed · official record
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House roll call 175 (2025): On Motion to Table on H RES 537
2025-06-24 · Passed · official record
Roll-call votes are listed when the measure voted on has a current Constitution Index grade citing this provision. Counts include only published items.
Cite this page
Values for America Constitution Explorer, https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution (text: National Archives transcription, public domain), Article I, Section 3, Clause 6, https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution/article-1/section-3/clause-6
Data: this provision as JSON.