Sen. Lee Explains Why Senate Does Not Have Impeachment Jurisdiction Over Former Officials

January 26, 2021

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Tuesday after voting not to table a point of order, noting it is unconstitutional for the Senate to try a former president.

“If the Senate were to adopt a broad interpretation of the impeachment power—one allowing federal officials to be convicted on impeachment charges even after leaving office—the result would not only be problematic, but also contrary to the most natural reading of the text, structure, and historical understanding of the Constitution.”