The Trial of the Century: 1868 Background: There is a certain aura associated with the title President of the United States, but that mystique fades when you're on trial in front of the American people. President Andrew Johnson inherited a tough situation when he was thrust into the Oval Office following Abraham Lincoln's assassination. His leniency to the South during Reconstruction made him Public Enemy No. 1 to the so-called Radical Republicans of Congress and the following 2.5 years resulted in a bitter political tug-of-war. In a move reeking of hubris, Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act. This unconstitutional law said that the President could not fire a Cabinet member without Congressional approval, I suppose the logic went that since the Senate had to approve nominees they must also have a voice in their termination. Still, this move was clearly little more than a power play to show the country who really had the power in D.C. With a two-thirds majority, the Radical Republicans were more than willing to override any Presidential veto that came their way. Johnson, also overtaken by pride, decided to channel his almost namesake, Andrew Jackson. Rather than simply waiting for the Supreme Court to settle this constitutional question, he fired the Secretary of War out of spite. His reward for his bold move, an impeachment trial. The President of the United States was now being charged and drawn up like a common criminal before the entire nation in the chambers of the Senate. This spectacle began in late February 1868. What happened? After all the deliberations, the Senate voted on this day 152 years ago on the first charge of the impeachment. Johnson may have lost 35-19 but the total fell one shy of the two-thirds needed to physically remove Johnson from office. This decision stemmed from a partial fear over having a new President who was not elected in any capacity by the American people (cough*Ford*cough) and also a realization that Congress may have overstepped their bounds. Regardless of the reason, Congress saved Johnson the embarrassment of having to pack his bags and run home but the damage was done. Johnson finished out his final 10 months in disgrace as the lamest of lame duck Presidents. Who Cares? This moment matters for several reasons. 1. Gilded Age Presidents are particularly weak, partially out of philosophy but also because of fear in Congressional reprisals. It helps account for the overall weakness and ineffectiveness of Presidents until Teddy Roosevelt in 1901. 2. The Radical Republicans, who had done such good for the freed blacks after the Civil War, now look petty and power hungry to the American people. They had misplayed their hand and their attempted coup hamstrung them moving forward in their Reconstruction goals. 3. Being impeached is a stigma that does not go away, just ask Bill Clinton. It hangs over you like an albatross. 4. We are fascinated by celebrity trials, I can't wait for this FX series on this.
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