In the United States, impeachment is a process by which certain federal officials, including the President, can be removed from office for "high crimes and misdemeanors" as outlined in the U.S. Constitution. Impeachment is a political process and not a criminal one. It is conducted by the House of Representatives, and if the official is impeached, a trial is held in the Senate to determine whether they should be removed from office.
The U.S. Constitution specifies that impeachment can apply to the President, Vice President, and "all civil Officers of the United States." It does not explicitly mention family members of the President.
In theory, if a family member of the President holds a civil office or position within the government, they could be subject to impeachment if they commit "high crimes and misdemeanors" while holding that office. However, the key factor is whether they hold a position that falls under the category of "civil Officer of the United States." Family members who are not government officials or civil officers, but rather private citizens, cannot be impeached.
It's important to note that impeachment is a complex and politically charged process. It requires substantial evidence and support from the House of Representatives to move forward, and removal from office through impeachment requires a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate.
Historically, no immediate family member of a sitting President has been impeached, although there have been instances where close aides and officials in the administration faced impeachment proceedings.
If a family member of the President were to commit criminal acts, they would be subject to the regular criminal justice system like any other citizen. The impeachment process is specifically reserved for certain federal officials and does not extend to private citizens, regardless of their relationship to the President.