Well if a pardon can not block impeachment then it means impeachment requires a crime and it’s not just a political process
Yes, but then that is exactly what an impeachment entails.
The House serves more or less like a grand jury. They decide if the “culprit” should be brought up on charges or not. Then they refer their findings to the Senate with specific charges.
In the Senate, the trial takes place where they find the “culprit” guilty or innocent of the charges. Guilty, your out... innocent, you remain in office.
With Clinton, the House came up with such flimsy charges, that the Senate decided to take a pass on a trial. Most folks who were against Clinton, think the House severely under-preformed. There was plenty of serious charges against Clinton, but they picked lesser charges.
“Well if a pardon can not block impeachment then it means impeachment requires a crime and it’s not just a political process”
You have it 180 degrees backwards. If a pardon does not block impeachment...THAT means impeachment is a political process, not a crime.
And impeachment does not require a crime. There is absolutely no check at all on the power of Congress to impeach. They argue about what he has or hasn’t done that makes him unfit. If 2/3s agree, he is removed and that is beyond any review.