What other presidents have been impeached?

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The impeachment proceedings against Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff are based on accusations that illegal accounting tricks by her administration allowed her to use government spending to shore up flagging support before elections. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

If Brazil impeaches President Dilma Rousseff, she will be the country’s second impeached president. (She would be, however, the first woman impeached.) 

In 1992, Fernando Collor de Mello — the youngest president in Brazilian history and also the first directly elected by the public following rule by the military government — was impeached due to charges of corruption. He was banned from holding public office for eight years.

Here’s a look at some other presidents who’ve been impeached, and why. 

2012 and 2007: Romanian President Traian Basescu
2012 Allegations: Using the secret service against political enemies, refusing to appoint cabinet ministers chosen by the prime minister, putting pressure on prosecutors in criminal cases, and illegal phone tapping.


2007 Allegations: Unconstitutional conduct.

2012 Outcome: Impeached by parliament but not enough voters turned out in a referendum to make the impeachment valid. He was reinstated as president.


2007 Outcome: Parliament voted to impeach Basescu, but he was reinstated after 75 percent of voters in a referendum decided not to dismiss him.

2004: Lithuanian President Rolandas Paksas
Allegations: Granting citizenship to a major campaign donor; dealings with a businessman connected to Russian organized crime. Outcome: Removed from office less than 14 months after being elected. Paksas was the first European head of government to ever be impeached.
2004: South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun
Allegations: Illegal campaign funding; campaign electioneering by asking the public to vote for candidates in his party. In South Korea, this is a violation of the president’s political neutrality. Outcome: The ROK Assembly voted to impeach Roh, but it was overturned by a constitutional court. He was reinstated as president two months later. Five years later, Roh committed suicide by jumping off a mountain.
1998: U.S. President Bill Clinton
Allegations: Perjury and obstruction of justice over denying an extramarital affair with a White House intern. Outcome: Impeached by the House of Representatives, but acquitted by the Senate.
1992: Brazilian President Fernando Collor de Mello
Allegations: Corruption and involvement in an influence peddling scheme by his campaign treasurer. Outcome: He resigned in an attempt to stop the impeachment trial, but was subsequently found guilty and was banned from holding office for eight years. He was later acquitted of ordinary criminal charges.
1981: Iranian President Sayyed Abolhassan Banisadr
Allegations: Attempting to undermine clerical power.  Outcome: Banisadr was the first president after the 1979 revolution abolished the monarchy. After being impeached and fearing for his life, he was smuggled out of Iran after several of his close friends were executed. He now lives in France.
1868: U.S. President Andrew Johnson
Allegations: Violating the Tenure of Office Act by attempting to replace the secretary of war with congressional approval. Outcome: Impeached by the House but acquitted by the Senate. The Act was later repealed.