by Peter Baker
First published 2018
Impeachment serves as both a shield against tyranny and a weapon for political factions. Jeffrey A. Engel, Jon Meacham, Timothy Naftali, and Peter Baker examine the only three presidential impeachment cases in American history. Andrew Johnson faced removal in 1868 for defying congressional leaders and failing to fill Lincoln's shoes, yet survived his Senate trial. Richard Nixon resigned before certain impeachment for lying, obstructing justice, and abusing executive power. Bill Clinton endured Senate trial in 1999 not primarily for his affair with Monica Lewinsky, but for perjury about it. The authors argue that impeachment operates more as political theater than legal proceeding. The Constitution's vague language about "high Crimes and Misdemeanors" leaves vast room for interpretation. Each case hinged on factors beyond presidential guilt: congressional relationships, national polarization, and the presidency's institutional strength. This analysis reveals impeachment as a double-edged constitutional tool that nullifies voter will while protecting against despotic rule.
Genres: biography, history, political-science, politics, non-fiction, american-history
Vibes: emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: political-drama
Setting: United States
Period: 1868, 1999
368 pages · Paperback · Random House Large Print