40 Facts About the History of Impeachment (And The Presidents Who Couldn’t Escape Its Fate)

40 Facts About the History of Impeachment (And The Presidents Who Couldn’t Escape Its Fate)

Trista - May 26, 2019

40 Facts About the History of Impeachment (And The Presidents Who Couldn’t Escape Its Fate)
President Andrew Johnson. American Countryside.

24. Andrew Johnson Was Impeached For Firing His Secretary of War

In the confusing days of Reconstruction-era politics, Congress passed a Tenure of Office Act, which meant that the Senate had to approve of the president firing certain cabinet members. Congress passed this law primarily to protect Edwin Stanton, the secretary of war, whom Johnson wanted to replace. When he fired Stanton, the House voted to impeach him.

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