Lindsey Graham clearly disagreed with Trump's impeachment obstruction back in 1998
One of the interesting things about watching the impeachment of President Trump play out is that many of the main actors were also in Congress when Republicans impeached (but failed to convict) President Bill Clinton in late 1998 and early 1999.
The White House cited old impeachment comments from House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) in its strange letter Tuesday explaining to House Democrats why President Trump and his administration will refuse to honor any subpoenas or allow any witnesses in the House's impeachment inquiry. And Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a stalwart Trump ally, pretty clearly disagreed with that strategy when he was a House impeachment manager in Clinton's Senate trial.
"Article III of impeachment against Richard Nixon, the article was based on the idea that Richard Nixon, as president, failed to comply with subpoenas of Congress" as it was "going through its oversight function," Graham said back in 1998. "The day Richard Nixon failed to answer that subpoena is the day he was subject to impeachment because he took the power from Congress over the impeachment process away from Congress, and he became the judge and jury."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Graham, during the Senate trial, noted that "you don't even have to be convicted of a crime to lose your job in this constitutional republic if this body determines that your conduct as a public official is clearly out of bounds in your role." He also argued that "impeachment is not about punishment. Impeachment is about cleansing the office. Impeachment is about restoring honor and integrity to the office."
In May, Graham did stand by that statement. "It doesn't have to be a crime," he told McClatchey D.C. "And if you want to impeach him, do it, and you want to use my words — it doesn't have to be a crime, and it's necessary to cleanse the office — be my guest."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
81 things Donald Trump has said about women
The Explainer The former president has a long history of controversial remarks about the opposite sex
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Video games to play this fall, from 'Call of Duty: Black Ops 6' to 'Assassin's Creed Shadows'
The Week Recommends 'Assassin's Creed' goes to feudal Japan, and a remaster of horror classic 'Silent Hill 2' drops
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
'This is but one of a string of troubles confronting the agency'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Netanyahu makes controversial address
Speed Reads Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress denounced Gaza war protestors
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Menendez convicted of bribery, fraud, and extortion
Speed Read The New Jersey Democratic Senator was found guilty in a federal corruption trial
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Florida judge dismisses Trump documents case
Speed Read Judge Aileen Cannon ruled that special counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-