Johnson Does What He Wants?
President Johnson Removes Stanton from Senate
Johnson Doesn't Play By The Rules
In August 1867, Johnson suspended Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Congress was NOT in session on this day, so there was no Senate approval.
What Did The Senate Have To Say About This?
The Senate met again and refused to approve the suspension. Johnson did not like this, therefore he took matters into his own hands and removed Stanton from office. This was a deliberate violation of the Tenure of Office Act.
Johnson Didn't Stop There
Johnson further angered the Republicans when he appointed some generals that the Radicals opposed as commanders of Southern military districts.
What Happened to Johnson Next?
The House of Representatives voted to impeach Johnson, they accused Johnson of misconduct and sent the case to the Senate for trial.
The trial began in March 1868 and lasted 3 months. Johnson was not removed from being President because several Republicans voted for the verdict of not guilty because they did not believe he should be moved from office for political differences. Johnson stayed in office until the end of his term in March 1869.
Ask Yourself: Is this Really the Kind of President You Want?
President Johnson (An Average American's View)
Any average American would read this and think, "If he can get off with removing Stanton from Senate without approval, what else can he get away with?"
I'm not only afraid of the kind of power that is held within his grips, but am also afraid of the kinds of things that he can do with this.
How can he be let off the hook just because "he has different political views?" What he did was not right. It violated the Tenure of Office Act.