US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said on June 21 that President Donald Trump’s strike on three Iranian nuclear sites is grounds for impeachment, making her one of the first Democrats to call for such action.
While several Democrats criticized the move as unconstitutional, Ocasio-Cortez said it violated congressional war powers. “The President’s disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization… is absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment,” she wrote on X. She argued that Trump bypassed Congress, which holds the constitutional authority to declare war.
This latest controversy has renewed public interest in what impeachment actually means. While most people associate it with presidential misconduct, impeachment in the US can also apply to federal judges, cabinet officials, and even Supreme Court justices.
In this gallery, you'll discover what impeachment is, how it works in the United States, and why it remains such a powerful political tool. Curious about impeachment and its impact? Click through to learn more.