How U.S. impeachment process works ------------------------------------- The U.S. House of Representatives has launched a formal impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump, accusing him of violating the Constitution by seeking foreign help to smear Democrat rival Joe Biden ------------------------------------- 1 U.S. House of Representatives Any member can introduce resolution of impeachment if they suspect president is guilty of “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanours” ------------------------------------- 2 House Judiciary Committee: Normally votes on whether grounds for impeachment exist, but Democrats could appoint special committee to oversee process or move straight to House vote Simple majority in House, where Democrats hold 235 seats, sends process to Senate Total 435 ------------------------------------- 3 Senate trial: Chief justice of Supreme Court presides, while House members form prosecution and senators act as jury. President can appoint defence lawyers ------------------------------------- 4 Senate vote on impeachment Democrats hold 47 seats. Two-thirds majority required to remove president from office Total 100 Vice president then takes over for remainder of term ------------------------------------- Trump joins three other presidents who have faced impeachment – Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, who were acquitted by Senate, and Richard Nixon, who resigned to avoid being impeached ------------------------------------- Sources: AP, Bloomberg, BBC, NBC News, Reuters Pictures: AP, Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS