As the specter of impeachment creeps into conversations about where President Donald Trump's scandals may be heading, it's worth recalling the specific “high crimes and misdemeanors” that ousted Richard Nixon from office in 1974.
On July 27, the House Judiciary Committee approved, and voted to send the full House, three articles of impeachment, which charged Nixon with 15 separate acts of obstructing justice and abusing power. That—along with urgings from several Republican leaders—pressured Nixon to step down not quite two weeks later, on Aug. 9, before Congress could vote on the matter. (Another crucial factor: Vice President Gerald Ford decided to pardon him for any crimes he may have committed, thus protecting Nixon from indictment and prosecution after leaving the White House.)
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