> The impeachment process only applies to a sitting president. Once they're out of office, the threat provided by an impeachment is gone.
> More specifically, the role of the house impeachment and senate hearing is removal someone from office. That's it. There's no potential for punitive action (fines, jail, etc).
Judgement in impeachment can extend to "disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States" [1]
But, judgement in impeachment is political, and if you could get enough votes to impeach a former President in order to disqualify them from running again, it seems pretty unlikely that they'd be able to get nominated and elected in a future election; so it's not a big threat IMHO; at least assuming a two-thirds majority is required to remove, then a majority to disqualify.
The constitution is not clear that removal from office and disqualification are linked, although in practice, disqualification has happened only after a removal, and the Senate has determined simple majority for removal is sufficient. [2] So, it might be possible to do a disqualification as a simple majority, without a removal.
> More specifically, the role of the house impeachment and senate hearing is removal someone from office. That's it. There's no potential for punitive action (fines, jail, etc).
Judgement in impeachment can extend to "disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States" [1]
But, judgement in impeachment is political, and if you could get enough votes to impeach a former President in order to disqualify them from running again, it seems pretty unlikely that they'd be able to get nominated and elected in a future election; so it's not a big threat IMHO; at least assuming a two-thirds majority is required to remove, then a majority to disqualify.
The constitution is not clear that removal from office and disqualification are linked, although in practice, disqualification has happened only after a removal, and the Senate has determined simple majority for removal is sufficient. [2] So, it might be possible to do a disqualification as a simple majority, without a removal.
[1] https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/article-1/#ar...
[2] https://law.justia.com/constitution/us/article-2/49-judgment...