Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson became the first president of the United States to be impeached today. His impeachment came after he violated the Tenure of Office Act by removing Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton from office. Despite Johnson's impeachment in the House, the Senate acquitted him by one vote. "The separateness and completeness of this executive power in the hands of the President was a doctrine essential to the harmony of the system of Government and to be the responsibility of the President to the people.
Andrew Johnson became the 17th president of the United States today following the death of Abraham Lincoln, who was shot at Ford's Theatre last night .
U.S. President Andrew Johnson was acquitted today during his impeachment trial. Thirty-five senators voted "guilty" and 19 voted "not guilty," just one vote shy of the necessary two-thirds required to remove Johnson from office. "The President might go forth nominally acquitted, but he would go forth nevertheless a blasted public functionary," informed The Davenport Daily Gazette on May 18, 1868. NOTE: Three months earlier, the House had passed a resolution to impeach Johnson for his violation of the Tenure of Office Act.
