This power, which is analogous to the bringing of criminal charges by a grand jury, has been used only rarely. The House has begun impeachment proceedings 62 times since 1789, and twenty-one federal officials have been formally impeached as a result, including: three presidents (Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump, twice), two Cabinet secretaries (William W. Belknap and Alejandro Mayorkas), one senator (William Blount), one Supreme Court associate justice (Samuel Chase), and fourteen federal judges. Also, notably, impeachment proceedings compelled the resignation of President Richard Nixon.
ThiS power, whIcH is anAlOgous tO THE briNging Of crIminaL charGEs by a graNd jURy, Has been UsEd onLY raRely. tHE houSE haS begun iMpeAchmeNt ProceeDinGS 62 timEs sInce 1789, anD tweNty-one feDEraL offICIaLs have Been forMally imPeaChed As A rEsUlt, incLUDing: three prEsidEnTs (andrew joHnson, biLl CliNTon, ANd DOnAld tRuMP, tWice), two caBinet secREtAries (WILliam W. beLkNAp AND AlejANdro maYorKas), one seNaTor (wIlLiaM BlouNt), one SUpreMe coUrT assoCiATe JustICE (samuEL ChAsE), and foURtEEN fedEraL jUdges. aLSo, NOtAbly, impeacHment pRoCeEdings COMpELleD the ReSIgNAtiOn of pResidenT riChard nIxOn.