Lexicon of impeachment inquiry: Words and phrases you must know

The official impeachment probe into the United States President Donald Trump has unveiled new set words and phrases. The controversial phone call between the Ukranian President, Volodymyr Zelinsky and Donald Trump which is also the center of the closed-door impeachment inquiry has introduced a handful of political or legal words for the public. Now that the next phase of impeachment involves the public, it is only essential to know what they mean.

Subpoena

There have been many US officials who were issued 'subpoenas' for the investigation in House Intelligence Committee. A subpoena is a written demand used by Congress to summon the concerned person in court and provide testimony. These documents can also be issued to demand documents from the senior office members who were either a witness or involved in President Trump's actions which led to what Democrats call going against the constitution. 

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Whistleblower

The whole probe started with a whistleblower from inside the government disclosing about the US President asking for favours of the Ukranian government by starting an inquiry on former Vice President, Joe Biden's son. According to Government Accountability Project, this word addresses the employee who reveals information which according to them is evidence of illegality, gross waste or fraud, mismanagement, abuse of power, general wrongdoing or some kind of danger to the public health. 

Impeachment

This is an official procedure when Congress determines that a President, Vice President or any other 'civil officer' should not be in the office and leave their role. According to the US constitution, under this process, the House of Representatives would vote to impeach an official. After that it is up to the Senate to hold a trial to determine if the person is guilty or not. 

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Quid Pro Quo

There have been several headlines using the phrase 'Quid Pro Quo' which Donald Trump still claims is a 'hoax' This phrase is Latin of 'something for something' which means swapping favours or valuable acts or things between the people. During the impeachment inquiry, some officials have already confirmed about viewing signs of Quid Pro Quo between the White House and the Ukrainian government as President Trump had ordered to release the military aide by the US for Ukraine only when they start an inquiry against Hunter Biden. 

Burisma

This is the Ukrainian gas company with Hunter Biden as their board member and President Trump wanted President Zelenskiy to investigate a false allegation that former Vice President had pressurized the previous Ukrainian government to axe a prosecutor who was investigating the gas company in order to help his son. 

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