A historic moment in American politics occurred on February 24th, 1868, as the United States House of Representatives voted to impeach President Andrew Johnson on charges of high crimes and misdemeanors. Johnson's impeachment trial in the Senate would follow, shaping the course of Reconstruction-era politics. This event marked the first time a sitting U.S. president faced impeachment, setting a precedent for the constitutional checks and balances between the executive and legislative branches.
Andrew Johnson, who assumed the presidency after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln in 1865, quickly found himself at odds with Congress over the direction of Reconstruction. As a Southern Democrat who remained loyal to the Union, Johnson believed in a lenient approach to reintegrating the Confederate states. However, the Republican-controlled Congress sought to enforce stronger protections for formerly enslaved people and prevent former Confederates from regaining political power. Johnson repeatedly vetoed legislation aimed at securing civil rights, which led to escalating tensions between the White House and Congress.
The breaking point came when Johnson violated the Tenure of Office Act by attempting to remove Edwin M. Stanton, his Secretary of War, without Senate approval. Stanton, a staunch supporter of Congressional Reconstruction, had become a key opponent of Johnson’s policies. Viewing this action as an abuse of power, the House of Representatives voted to impeach Johnson, charging him with defying congressional authority and obstructing Reconstruction efforts.
Following the House’s vote, Johnson's impeachment trial commenced in the Senate in March 1868. The prosecution, led by Radical Republicans, argued that Johnson's removal of Stanton was an illegal overreach of presidential power. Johnson’s defense, on the other hand, contended that the Tenure of Office Act was unconstitutional and that his actions did not constitute an impeachable offense.
After weeks of deliberation, the Senate fell just one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed to remove Johnson from office. Ultimately, 35 senators voted for conviction, while 19 voted for acquittal. Several moderate Republicans, concerned about setting a dangerous precedent for political impeachments, voted against removal. Johnson remained in office but was politically weakened for the remainder of his term.
The impeachment of Andrew Johnson had far-reaching consequences for the balance of power in the U.S. government and the future of Reconstruction. While Johnson was not removed from office, his impeachment underscored the growing divide between the presidency and Congress during a period of national rebuilding. It also reaffirmed the authority of the legislative branch in shaping Reconstruction policies.
In the years that followed, the Radical Republicans continued to push for civil rights protections, leading to the passage of the 14th and 15th Amendments. Johnson’s impeachment also highlighted the fragility of presidential power, demonstrating that Congress could hold the executive accountable for perceived abuses. The Tenure of Office Act, the law at the center of the impeachment case, was eventually repealed in 1887 and later deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Today, Johnson’s impeachment serves as a precedent for future presidential impeachments, including those of Bill Clinton and Donald Trump. It remains a pivotal example of the political struggles that can arise during times of national crisis, reminding Americans of the importance of constitutional oversight and the ongoing challenges of governance in a deeply divided country.