On 12 February 1999, the United States Senate acquitted President Bill Clinton in his impeachment trial, bringing an end to a political saga that had gripped the nation.
Facing charges of perjury and obstruction of justice related to his extramarital affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, Clinton survived the trial as the Senate fell short of the two-thirds majority required to convict and remove him from office.
The final votes—55-45 on perjury and 50-50 on obstruction—reflected sharp partisan divisions, with most Democrats standing by the president and Republicans pushing for conviction.
Clinton’s acquittal allowed him to complete his second term, though the scandal left an indelible mark on his presidency and American political discourse.
