--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Proving “high crimes and misdemeanors” is…" description: "\"“Proving “high crimes and misdemeanors” is necessary to make the case for presidential removal, but it is not sufficient. The politics takes precedence..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/950/andrew-mccarthy-4162_crimes-and-misdemean_proving-high-crimes-and-misdemeanors-is_2556796.png" --- # Proving “high crimes and misdemeanors” is necessary to… ![“Proving “high crimes and misdemeanors” is necessary to make the case for presidential removal, but it is not sufficient. The politics takes precedence: The public must reach the conclusion that the constitutionally subversive nature of the impeachable offenses renders it intolerable to permit the…” quote by Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/950/andrew-mccarthy-4162_crimes-and-misdemean_proving-high-crimes-and-misdemeanors-is_2556796.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/950/andrew-mccarthy-4162_crimes-and-misdemean_proving-high-crimes-and-misdemeanors-is_2556796.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/950/andrew-mccarthy-4162_crimes-and-misdemean_proving-high-crimes-and-misdemeanors-is_2556796.png) > ““Proving “high crimes and misdemeanors” is necessary to make the case for presidential removal, but it is not sufficient. The politics takes precedence: The public must reach the conclusion that the constitutionally subversive nature of the impeachable offenses renders it intolerable to permit the president to continue in power; and the public must make its representatives understand that failing to act on that conclusion will shorten their cherished Washington careers.”” [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. High crimes are a legal threshold, but removal of a president depends on public perception and political will, not just legal proof. **In simple terms:** Legal proof isn’t enough; public opinion decides. Key Takeaway Build public consensus before action. Themes politics law public opinion leadership Mood cautious analytical Type political commentary When to use this quote - elections - media campaigns - legislative hearings - public protests Key Concepts constitutional law political legitimacy media influence Questions to Reflect On - How can citizens ensure informed judgment? - What safeguards prevent politicized removals? A Different Perspective Public sentiment can be manipulated, making legal standards unreliable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conclusion Constitutionally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conclusion-constitutionally-1202600/) [Constitutionally Subversive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitutionally-subversive-1570333/) [Crimes and misdemeanors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crimes-and-misdemeanors/) [Impeachable Offenses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impeachable-offenses-1570330/) [Misdemeanors Necessary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/misdemeanors-necessary-1570331/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Presidential Removal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presidential-removal-1570332/) [Representatives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/representatives/) ## Related quotes > [In sum, the Court's conclusion that a constitutionally adequate recount is impractical is a prophecy the Court's own judgment will not allow to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/in-sum-the-court-s-conclusion-that-a-constitutionally-adequate/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [“The two impeachment articles charged President Clinton with perjury and obstruction of justice.16 The charges satisfied the “high crimes and misdemeanors” threshold, for it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/the-two-impeachment-articles-charged-president-clinton-with-perjury/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [“The delegates to the Constitutional Convention were adamant that impeachment not reach to errors of judgment, or what Edmund Randolph described as “a willful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/the-delegates-to-the-constitutional-convention-were-adamant-that/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [“Willful and repeated violation of the Constitution is the textbook example of high crimes and misdemeanors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/willful-and-repeated-violation-of-the-constitution-is-the-textbook/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [The Constitution gives us a standard to follow. We cannot define impeachable offenses to a greater degree than the language of the Constitution. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asa-hutchinson/the-constitution-gives-us-a-standard-to-follow-we-cannot-define/) [Asa Hutchinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-hutchinson/) > [I personally think that he did violate the law, that he committed impeachable offenses. But I don't think that he thinks he did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/i-personally-think-that-he-did-violate-the-law-that-he-committed/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [“George W. Bush committed impeachable offenses in waging war in Iraq.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-goff/george-w-bush-committed-impeachable-offenses-in-waging-war-in-iraq/) [Stan Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-goff/) > [I thought we were to discuss a referral which we believe contains substantial and credible information of potential impeachable offenses by the President of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-thought-we-were-to-discuss-a-referral-which-we-believe-contains/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It is a coup because while the Brazilian Constitution allows for impeachment, it's necessary for the person to have committed what we call high…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva/it-is-a-coup-because-while-the-brazilian-constitution-allows-for/) [Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva/) > [Events unfold so unpredictably, so unfairly, human happiness does not seem to be included in the design of creation. It is only we, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/events-unfold-so-unpredictably-so-unfairly-human-happiness-does-not/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [The President of the United States would be liable to be impeached, tried, and upon conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-president-of-the-united-states-would-be-liable-to-be-impeached/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Joe Biden abused the power of the Office of the Vice President, enabling bribery and other high crimes and misdemeanors, by allowing his son…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marjorie-taylor-greene/joe-biden-abused-the-power-of-the-office-of-the-vice-president/) [Marjorie Taylor Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marjorie-taylor-greene/) > [If a politician takes a bribe to do what he thinks would have been best for the public anyway, he still goes to jail.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-t-conway-iii/if-a-politician-takes-a-bribe-to-do-what-he-thinks-would-have-been/) [George T. Conway III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-t-conway-iii/) > [All societies make necessary moral distinctions between high crimes and misdemeanors, mortal and lesser sins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bret-stephens/all-societies-make-necessary-moral-distinctions-between-high-crimes/) [Bret Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bret-stephens/) > [Funny that all of Nixon's crimes - anonymous campaign cash, wiretapping, undeclared wars - are all legal now. Discuss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/funny-that-all-of-nixon-s-crimes-anonymous-campaign-cash-wiretapping/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) ## More by Andrew McCarthy > [“As was easily foreseeable, the unprovoked military adventure empowered anti-American terrorists.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/as-was-easily-foreseeable-the-unprovoked-military-adventure-empowered/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [“Republicans, as well as Democrats committed to our constitutional framework, should fearlessly marshal the administration’s frauds, obstructions, and violations of law. They should demand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/republicans-as-well-as-democrats-committed-to-our-constitutional/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [“In addition to involving the nation in an unauthorized war in Libya that empowered jihadist enemies of the United States, he and his subordinates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/in-addition-to-involving-the-nation-in-an-unauthorized-war-in-libya/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [“The president and his subordinates willfully defrauded the American people, including investors in the public securities exchanges, in connection with Solyndra, a solar energy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/the-president-and-his-subordinates-willfully-defrauded-the-american/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [“Rouhani triumphantly boasted in a tweet that the United States had “surrendered to Iranian nation’s will,” while the regime’s chief negotiator bragged that Iran…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/rouhani-triumphantly-boasted-in-a-tweet-that-the-united-states-had/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [“Passing articles of impeachment against President Obama in the House at this premature point would have the same effect. There is no public will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/passing-articles-of-impeachment-against-president-obama-in-the-house/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [“He and his subordinates have issued a visa to a self-proclaimed member of a formally designated Egyptian terrorist organization in order to enable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/he-and-his-subordinates-have-issued-a-visa-to-a-self-proclaimed/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [“Willful and repeated violation of the Constitution is the textbook example of high crimes and misdemeanors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/willful-and-repeated-violation-of-the-constitution-is-the-textbook/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [“Congressional Democrats want the current president to use the enormous raw power vested in his office by Article II to achieve statist transformation. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/congressional-democrats-want-the-current-president-to-use-the/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [“With the November election looming and the president’s campaign rhetoric about decimating al-Qaeda becoming laughable, the White House endeavored to defraud the American people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/with-the-november-election-looming-and-the-president-s-campaign/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [“He and his subordinates have repeatedly, systematically and willfully withheld from Congress and from the American people information to which they are entitled, despite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/he-and-his-subordinates-have-repeatedly-systematically-and-willfully/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [“Despite being briefed about the ongoing terrorist attack at the Benghazi facility very soon after it began, the president took no meaningful action as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/despite-being-briefed-about-the-ongoing-terrorist-attack-at-the/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [The idea that we cause harm by doing what we perceive to be the right thing, that's another theme that interests me. Because most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/the-idea-that-we-cause-harm-by-doing-what-we-perceive-to-be-the-right/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [It's embarrassing, isn't it? It took me 15 years to make an 18-minute movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/it-s-embarrassing-isn-t-it-it-took-me-15-years-to-make-an-18-minute/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [“As a federal district court in Texas recently ruled, federal law “mandates the initiation of immigration removal proceedings whenever an immigration officer encounters an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/as-a-federal-district-court-in-texas-recently-ruled-federal-law/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) [Explore all 115 Andrew McCarthy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) ## More Crimes and misdemeanors quotes > [Events unfold so unpredictably, so unfairly, human happiness does not seem to be included in the design of creation. It is only we, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/events-unfold-so-unpredictably-so-unfairly-human-happiness-does-not/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [“Willful and repeated violation of the Constitution is the textbook example of high crimes and misdemeanors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/willful-and-repeated-violation-of-the-constitution-is-the-textbook/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [Funny that all of Nixon's crimes - anonymous campaign cash, wiretapping, undeclared wars - are all legal now. Discuss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/funny-that-all-of-nixon-s-crimes-anonymous-campaign-cash-wiretapping/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [All societies make necessary moral distinctions between high crimes and misdemeanors, mortal and lesser sins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bret-stephens/all-societies-make-necessary-moral-distinctions-between-high-crimes/) [Bret Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bret-stephens/) > [If a politician takes a bribe to do what he thinks would have been best for the public anyway, he still goes to jail.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-t-conway-iii/if-a-politician-takes-a-bribe-to-do-what-he-thinks-would-have-been/) [George T. Conway III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-t-conway-iii/) > [“The delegates to the Constitutional Convention were adamant that impeachment not reach to errors of judgment, or what Edmund Randolph described as “a willful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/the-delegates-to-the-constitutional-convention-were-adamant-that/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [“The two impeachment articles charged President Clinton with perjury and obstruction of justice.16 The charges satisfied the “high crimes and misdemeanors” threshold, for it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccarthy/the-two-impeachment-articles-charged-president-clinton-with-perjury/) [Andrew McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccarthy/) > [It is a coup because while the Brazilian Constitution allows for impeachment, it's necessary for the person to have committed what we call high…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva/it-is-a-coup-because-while-the-brazilian-constitution-allows-for/) [Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva/) > [The President of the United States would be liable to be impeached, tried, and upon conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-president-of-the-united-states-would-be-liable-to-be-impeached/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Joe Biden abused the power of the Office of the Vice President, enabling bribery and other high crimes and misdemeanors, by allowing his son…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marjorie-taylor-greene/joe-biden-abused-the-power-of-the-office-of-the-vice-president/) [Marjorie Taylor Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marjorie-taylor-greene/) > [Evidence has proven that Secretary Mayorkas' sustained and willful betrayal of the public trust makes him an accessory to the poisoning of millions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-e-james/evidence-has-proven-that-secretary-mayorkas-sustained-and-willful/) [John E. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-e-james/) > [Woody Allen has done some excellent serious movies, too, like Crimes And Misdemeanors. Very overlooked movie, I think, and really his best. And currently…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-zucker/woody-allen-has-done-some-excellent-serious-movies-too-like-crimes/) [David Zucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-zucker/) > [“Johnson had unleashed the political equivalent of an act of war against Congress. Retaliating against the president’s violation of the Tenure of Office Act,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-chernow/johnson-had-unleashed-the-political-equivalent-of-an-act-of-war/) [Ron Chernow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-chernow/) > [Impeachment really is not a criminal proceeding. The American people have been conditioned to believe that, you know, high crimes and misdemeanors means what?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/impeachment-really-is-not-a-criminal-proceeding-the-american-people/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [“To those who will decide if he should be tried for 'high crimes and misdemeanors' -the House of Representatives- And to those who would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-bernstein/to-those-who-will-decide-if-he-should-be-tried-for-high-crimes-and/) [Carl Bernstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-bernstein/) [Browse all 32 Crimes and misdemeanors quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crimes-and-misdemeanors/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Proving “high crimes and misdemeanors” is necessary to make the case for presidential removal, but it is not sufficient. 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