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Greg Gibson/AP
President Clinton before his admission
about his relationship with former intern
Monica Lewinsky, Aug. 17, 1998.
President Clinton before his admission
about his relationship with former intern
Monica Lewinsky, Aug. 17, 1998.
On This Day: President Clinton Admits to Affair With Lewinsky
August 17, 2009 06:00 AM
by
findingDulcinea Staff
On Aug. 17, 1998, Bill Clinton testified before a grand jury that he had had an “inappropriate” relationship with former intern Monica Lewinsky. That night, he apologized to the American people in a nationally televised address.
Clinton Comes Clean to Grand Jury, American Public
On Jan. 17, 1998, facing allegations that he had sexually harassed former employee Paula Jones, President Bill Clinton filed a deposition denying that he had had “sexual relations” with former intern Monica Lewinsky. The following day, the Drudge Report Web site broke the news that Clinton had allegedly had sex with an intern.
On Jan. 26, Clinton held a press conference to address the allegations; waving his index finger, he declared, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.”
Six months later, however, Lewinsky admitted to the affair. With evidence mounting against him, Clinton was forced to admit to a grand jury that he indeed had an “inappropriate” relationship with Lewinsky.
He claimed that he had not perjured himself in the deposition, however, questioning the meaning of the term “sexual relations” and the word “is.” He went on national television that night to apologize for his actions.
“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 said. “But I told the grand jury today and I say to you now that at no time did I ask anyone to lie, to hide or destroy evidence or to take any other unlawful action.”
On Jan. 26, Clinton held a press conference to address the allegations; waving his index finger, he declared, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.”
Six months later, however, Lewinsky admitted to the affair. With evidence mounting against him, Clinton was forced to admit to a grand jury that he indeed had an “inappropriate” relationship with Lewinsky.
He claimed that he had not perjured himself in the deposition, however, questioning the meaning of the term “sexual relations” and the word “is.” He went on national television that night to apologize for his actions.
“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 said. “But I told the grand jury today and I say to you now that at no time did I ask anyone to lie, to hide or destroy evidence or to take any other unlawful action.”
Later Developments: Impeachment
On Sept. 9, independent counsel Kenneth Starr submitted 36 boxes of evidence to Congress, and presented 11 grounds for impeachment. The Starr report was published on the Internet two days later, revealing to the public all the lurid details of Clinton’s relationship with Lewinsky.
The House Judiciary Committee recommended that Clinton be impeached on two charges of perjury, one charge of obstruction of justice and one charge of abuse of power. On Dec. 19, 1998, the House of Representatives voted largely across party lines to impeach Clinton on one charge of perjury and one charge of obstruction of justice.
Three weeks later, the Senate began just the second presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history. The trial lasted just over a month and ended with Clinton being acquitted on both charges.
The House Judiciary Committee recommended that Clinton be impeached on two charges of perjury, one charge of obstruction of justice and one charge of abuse of power. On Dec. 19, 1998, the House of Representatives voted largely across party lines to impeach Clinton on one charge of perjury and one charge of obstruction of justice.
Three weeks later, the Senate began just the second presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history. The trial lasted just over a month and ended with Clinton being acquitted on both charges.
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