Monica Lewinsky Affair & Impeachment (1998)

The Monica Lewinsky affair and impeachment of President Bill Clinton (1998–1999) was one of the most dramatic political scandals in modern U.S. history. It involved allegations of perjury and obstruction of justice tied to Clinton’s sexual relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, leading to his impeachment by the House of Representatives - though he was ultimately acquitted by the Senate.

The Affair

• Lewinsky worked as an intern and later staffer at the White House between 1995–1997.


• She and Clinton engaged in multiple encounters in the Oval Office and other areas of the White House.


• The relationship was consensual, but became a national scandal due to Clinton’s denials under oath in a separate lawsuit (the Paula Jones sexual harassment case).

The Role of Linda Tripp

• Lewinsky confided in her friend Linda Tripp, a Pentagon employee.


• Tripp secretly recorded their phone conversations and turned the tapes over to Kenneth Starr, who was already investigating the Whitewater affair (a separate Clinton controversy).


• The tapes contained explicit details and proof that Clinton and Lewinsky had tried to hide evidence, including gifts and a blue dress with the President’s DNA.

The Legal and Political Fallout

• Clinton was accused of perjury and obstruction of justice after denying the affair in a sworn deposition.


• Starr expanded his investigation, releasing the infamous "Starr Report" (September 1998), which described the affair in explicit detail and recommended impeachment.


• The House Judiciary Committee drafted four articles of impeachment, passing two of them on December 19, 1998.

Impeachment and Senate Trial

• The House impeached Clinton (228–206 on perjury, 221–212 on obstruction).


• The Senate trial, presided over by Chief Justice William Rehnquist, began in January 1999.