The argument presented by the Office of the Independent Counsel, headed by Kenneth Starr, brought forth the allegations that the President was guilty of perjury and obstruction of justice (Starr: 1-2). While the defense presented the argument that the constitutional standard had not been met, he never made any perjurious statements, and he never encouraged any injustice to be done (White House: 15-32).
Firstly, the Independent Counsel argued the position of the President being guilty of perjury, which is essentially lying under oath in court. This account of perjury consisted of the President lying three times in his testimony to the Grand Jury regarding his sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky. The technical definition stated within the Jones case provided the basis that any intent to arouse the sexual desire or gratification, as previously defined would classify as sexual relations. However the President denied having such relations with Monica Lewinsky. Essentially by this denial, the President was stating that Ms. Lewinsky was lying about their relations, but her statements were later proven to be true (Starr: 13-14). Thus making the President guilty of perjury. This evidence accounted for Article I to be proven as grounds for the impeachment and removal of the President. .
Secondly, Article II in the Senate trial consisted of the President and his dealings that would classify as obstruction of justice. Obstruction of justice occurs when a person intentionally acts to impede or obstruct the due administration of our judicial system, for example, by tampering with a witness, or concealing and destroying evidence. The witness tampering statute makes it a crime to attempt to influence the testimony of a person; it also makes it a crime to influence a person to withhold an object from an official proceeding; in order words, to tamper with evidence. The facts of this case showed the President to be corruptly engaged in, encouraged, or supported a scheme with Monica Lewinsky to conceal evidence that had been subpoenaed.
