Impeachment Timeline: William Jefferson Clinton

 

Jan 12, 1994: Clinton names a special prosecutor for Whitewater affair

 

Jan 20, 1994: Robert Fiske named as special prosecutor

 

May 6, 1994: Paula Jones files lawsuit alleging sexual harassment in 1991

 

August 5, 1994: Congress reauthorizes the Independent Counsel Act, and the three Judge panel appoints former Bush administration solicitor general Kenneth Starr

 

Nov 5, 1996 Clinton re-elected

 

May 27, 1997: Supreme Court rules that Jones suit may proceed while Clinton is in office

 

Dec 5, 1997: Monica Lewinsky is named as witness in the Jones suit

 

Jan 7, 1998: Lewinsky signs an affidavit in Jones case stating that she had NO sexual relationship with Clinton

 

Jan 12 1998: Linda Tripp gives Starr’s office a set of tapes she made of conversations between herself and Lewinsky

 

Jan 16, 1998: Court panel permits expansion of Starr investigation into Lewinsky matters, Lewinsky refuses to cooperate with prosecutors

 

Jan 17, 1998: Clinton testifies in the Jones lawsuit and denies a sexual relationship with Lewinsky

 

Jan 26, 1998: Clinton declares publicly “I did not have sexual relations with that woman… I never told anyone to lie”

 

March 15, 1998: Former Clinton aide Katherine Willey appears on 60 minutes claiming that Clinton made a sexual advance to her in the White House in 1993

 

April 1 1998: In Arkansas, US District Judge Susan Webber Wright dismisses the Jones lawsuit

 

Aug 6, 1998: Under an immunity deal, Lewinsky testifies to the Starr grand jury

 

Aug 17, 1998: Clinton undergoes four hours of questioning before the grand jury, then admits to the public an “inappropriate relationship” with Monica

 

Sept 9, 1998: Starr delivers his report to House leaders and indicates that he has found credible evidence that may constitute grounds for impeachment

 

Oct 8, 1998: House votes to hold an impeachment inquiry

 

Nov 3, 1998: Democrats gain 5 seats in the House, 2/3rds of voters indicate in exit polls that they DON’T want Clinton impeached

 

Nov 13, 1998: Clinton agrees to pay $850,000 to drop her lawsuit with no apology or admission of guilt

 

Nov 20, 1998: Starr’s ethics advisor Sam Dash resigns to protest Starr’s testimony before Congress in support of impeachment

 

Nov 27, 1998: Clinton writes to Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde that his testimony in the Lewinsky case was “not false or misleading” (in response to Hyde’s questions)

 

Dec 11, 1998: House Judiciary Committee approves 3 articles of impeachment: perjury in Jones suit, perjury in grand jury testimony, and obstruction of justice in the Jones case

 

Dec 12, 1998: Fourth article approved: Perjury in response to Judiciary Committee questions, they also reject a Democratic resolution that would censure Clinton

 

Dec 17, 1998: House delays debate on impeachment while the US launches attacks on Iraq

 

Dec 19, 1998: Clinton impeached on articles 1 and 3. Rep. Bob Livingston (R-La) in line to become speaker of the house resigns after disclosure of his own sexual affairs

 

Dec 20, 1998: Clinton’s approval rating continues to rise

 

Jan 7, 1999: Impeachment Trial begins in Senate, Rehnquist sworn in to preside

 

Jan 24, 1999: Lewinsky interviewed privately by House prosecutors under a judge’s order

 

Jan 28, 1999: After 2 weeks of arguments, Senate rejects a motion to dismiss the charges. Subpoenas issued to question Lewinsky, Vernon Jordan, and Sidney Blumenthal

 

Feb 1-3, 1999: Three witnesses deposed by House lawyers and President’s lawyers

 

Feb 4, 1999: Senate votes to show videotaped testimony, rejects calling live witnesses

 

Feb 6, 1999: Clips played publicly at Senate trial

 

Feb 8, 1999: Closing arguments

 

Feb 9, 1999: Senate begins private deliberations on impeachment articles

 

Feb 12, 1999: Senate votes to acquit Clinton, Democratic motion for censure also voted down