Nixon v. United States
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| Nixon v. United States | |
| Court | U.S. Supreme Court |
|---|---|
| Citation | 506 U.S. 224 (1993) |
| Date decided | January 13, 1993 |
| Case Opinions | |
| majority | written by William Rehnquist joined by John P. Stevens, Sandra Day O'Connor, Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas |
| concurrence | written by John P. Stevens |
| concurrence | written by Byron White joined by Harry Blackmun |
| concurrence | written by David Souter |
Facts
Nixon, a former Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court was impeached by the Senate under Rule XI, under which the presiding officer appoints a committee of Senators to receive and take testimony which is then voted on by the senate. Nixon claims that this rule is unconstitutional because the constitution provides that “The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments.”
Issues
Whether the courts may review the actions of the Senate in order to determine whether they “tried” an impeached official, or whether this violates the presumption that the Senate is functioning independently and without assistance or interference.
Holding
The court cannot consider the question.
Rule
Judicial review of impeachment trials is constitutionally forbidden. Judges can also be impeached, so this review would place final reviewing authority with respect to impeachments in the hands of the same body that the process is meant to regulate.
