8.3.2: Writing an Impeachment Press Release

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A Press Release is an official statement provided to the media by an individual or organization. Its purpose is to provide information in a short, simple, highly readable format.

In politics, a press release also serves as a way to promote one’s side of an issue as favorably as possible within the boundaries of facts. The White House, on behalf of the President as well as individual politicians, political party organizations, and political interest groups, constantly issues press releases stating their positions and actions on the issues of the day.

Floorplan of the first floor of the West Wing of the White House, in which one of the rooms depicted, the press briefing room, is highlighted in blue.

Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): A floorplan of the first floor of the West Wing of the White House | Public domain

In this activity, you will write an Impeachment Press Release for one of the Presidential Impeachments in U.S. History. You can write a statement from either the President who is being impeached, the Impeachment Managers from the House of Representatives who are presenting the case against the President, or both.

Activity: Write an Impeachment Press Release

First, evaluate historical impeachment press releases. Examine how these press releases are structured, how language is used, and what information is presented or left out.
- Here are two press releases related to the second impeachment of Donald Trump:
  - Trial Memorandum from House Committee on the Judiciary, February 2, 2021
  - Trump Will Not Testify or Provide Any Statement at Impeachment Trial, February 4, 2021
Then, select one of the Presidential impeachments in U.S. history:
Finally, write an impeachment press release.
- Your goal is to make a case for or against Presidential impeachment in a press release that presents information as objectively as possible. You must include the actual facts of the situation and state the position of both those arguing for or against impeachment.

Additional Resources

How to Write a Press Release: The 11-Step Guide [2021 Update], Class: PR
How To Write a Press Release, with Examples, CBS News
Understanding Branches of Power Game (iCivics)
The Impeachment Process, Step-by-Step Guide (The New York Times)
A Lesson for an Impeachment Inquiry, The Educator's Playbook, University of Pennsylvania
The Impeachment Process and President Trump, Choices Program, Brown University

Connecting to the eBook

Building Democracy for All: 3.2 Examine the Relationship of the Three Branches

Connecting to the Standards

Massachusetts Civics & Government Standards
- Examine the interrelationship of the three branches (the checks and balances system). (Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for History and Social Science) [8.T3.2]
ISTE Standards
- Knowledge Constructor
  - 3a: Students plan and employ effective research strategies to locate information and other resources for their intellectual or creative pursuits.
  - 3d: Students build knowledge by actively exploring real-world issues and problems, developing ideas and theories and pursuing answers and solutions.
- Creative Communicator
  - 6d: Students publish or present content that customizes the message and medium for the intended audiences.
DLCS Standards
- Collaboration and Communication (DTC.b)
- Research (DTC.c)
English Language Arts > History/Social Studies Common Core Standards
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.4
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.5
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.4
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.5
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.8
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.3
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.5
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.9
English/Language Arts Common Core Standards