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January 21, 1998
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The story broke in the mainstream press on January 21 in The Washington Post. This article would set in motion the chain of events that would lead to the impeachment trial. It recounts how attorney Kenneth Starr began investigating claims about a young intern named Monica Lewinsky who apparently lied to the lawyers of Paula Jones, a woman who accused the president of sexually harassing her, when they questioned the young woman.
The article states, "The former intern, Monica Lewinsky, began work in the White House in 1995 at age 21 and later moved to a political job at the Pentagon, where she worked with Linda R. Tripp, who had moved there from an administrative job at the White House.
Sources said Tripp provided Starr with audiotapes of more than 10 conversations she had with Lewinsky over recent months in which Lewinsky graphically recounted details of a year-and-a-half-long affair she said she had with Clinton. In some of the conversations – including one in recent days – Lewinsky described Clinton and Jordan directing her to testify falsely in the Paula Jones sexual harassment case against the president, according to sources.
Lewinsky gave a sworn affidavit in connection with the Jones case Jan. 7, and sources who have seen her affidavit said she denied having an affair with Clinton. She is scheduled to be deposed by Jones's lawyers Friday."
These accusations that were brought to light by the article caused an immediate media storm around the topic and brought to light many of the other sexually harassment accusations or other indiscretions that the president was accused of. Only a few short days later, the president would vehemently deny the claims and lie to the American people on national television.
January 26, 1998
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Clinton famously says, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky." This is later revealed to be a lie.
March 21, 1998
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President Clinton moves to invoke executive privilege to prevent top aides from testifying about private conversations that they had with him.
July 17, 1998
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Subpoenaed Secret Service agents report to the grand jury, and Clinton himself is served with a subpoena that compels him to testify.
July 29, 1998
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After months of dodging the accusations, president Clinton agrees to testify amidst mounting pressure to do so by the American public. The evidence, such as the "DNA" stained dress that is obtained from Lewinsky's mother is tested against a blood sample from the president.
August 17, 1998
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Clinton testifies to the grand jury for more than four hours and admits to “inappropriate intimate contact.” That evening, he speaks to the nation in a televised address, admitting for the first time that he had a relationship with Lewinsky “Indeed, I did have a relationship with Miss Lewinsky that was not appropriate. In fact, it was wrong. It constituted a critical lapse in judgment and a personal failure on my part for which I am solely and completely responsible,” he says.
1. Olivia Waxman and Merrill Fabry, "From an Anonymous Tip to an Impeachment: A Timeline of Key Moments in the Clinton-Lewinsky Scandal," Time Magazine, May 4, 2018.
October 8, 1998
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The House of Representatives votes to begin an open-ended impeachment inquiry.
December 19, 1998
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The House of Representatives votes to impeach President Clinton on two of the four articles of impeachment (the charge of perjury in his Aug. 17 federal grand jury testimony, and charge that he “prevented, obstructed and impeded the administration of justice.”) Clinton vows to remain in office until “the last hour of the last day of my term."
January 7, 1999
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The Senate begins its trial of President Clinton. In an impeachment trial, the Supreme Court’s Chief Justice presides and the 100 Senators serve as jurors.
February 12, 1999
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The Senate finishes the impeachment trial, acquitting Clinton on both charges. The votes come in at 55-45 on perjury and 50-50 on obstruction of justice. Republicans block a Democratic move to censure President Clinton. "By TIME’s count, 2,345 minutes of the CBS, NBC and ABC evening newscasts between Jan. 22, 1998, and Feb. 12, 1999, had been devoted to the scandal."
1. Olivia Waxman and Merrill Fabry, "From an Anonymous Tip to an Impeachment: A Timeline of Key Moments in the Clinton-Lewinsky Scandal," Time Magazine, May 4, 2018.