Witness History President Clinton is impeached
Nov 4, 2025
Joe Lockhart, former White House press secretary under Bill Clinton, shares his firsthand experiences during the 1999 impeachment trial. He discusses the dramatic transformation of the Senate into a courtroom and how public opinion influenced the impeachment response. Lockhart reflects on the dual pressures of managing foreign policy, like military action against Iraq, while handling the scandal. He also highlights the political dynamics that turned the impeachment into a partisan affair, revealing behind-the-scenes stories that keep listeners captivated.
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Impeachment Turned The Senate Into A Court
- Joe Lockhart recalls the Senate being sworn in as a court and the impeachment trial transforming the chamber.
- He felt public opinion, not the Senate, posed the greatest threat to Clinton's presidency.
Impeachment Was Primarily Political
- Lockhart saw impeachment as a political coup rather than a pure legal matter.
- He prioritized political strategy over obsessing about the truth of Clinton's statements.
Two Crises On One Plane
- Lockhart describes juggling national security planning for an Iraq strike while impeachment votes loomed.
- He moved between the president's security and political teams to manage both crises simultaneously.