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Impeachment or Autocracy: A Writer Remembers

Keith Cox

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Published in Hacking Trump: Or How POTUS Sucker Punched America Torpedoed Democracy Left Us A Choice: Impeachment Or Autocracy (A Writer Remembers)

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The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

In 1868, Andrew Johnson became the first US president to be impeached. The charges against him stemmed from his attempts to thwart the Reconstruction Act of 1867, which was designed to protect the civil rights of freed slaves. Johnson's impeachment was a highly partisan affair, with Republicans supporting impeachment and Democrats opposing it. The Senate ultimately acquitted Johnson, but the impeachment process had a profound impact on American politics.

In his memoir, "My Life and Times," Johnson recalled the impeachment process in great detail. He defended his actions, arguing that he was simply trying to uphold the Constitution. However, Johnson also acknowledged that he had made mistakes and that he had underestimated the strength of the Radical Republicans. He wrote:

Hacking Trump: or, How POTUS Sucker Punched America, Torpedoed Democracy & Left Us a Choice: Impeachment or Autocracy (A Writer Remembers)

by Benjamin T. Walker

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	202 pages

"I have never doubted that the impeachment was a mistake. It was a mistake on the part of the Radicals to bring it, and it was a mistake on my part to resist it as I did. The impeachment only served to further divide the country and to make Reconstruction more difficult."

The Watergate Scandal

In 1974, Richard Nixon became the second US president to be impeached. The charges against him stemmed from the Watergate scandal, in which Nixon and his aides had broken into the Democratic National Headquarters and attempted to cover up their involvement. Nixon's impeachment was also a highly partisan affair, with Democrats supporting impeachment and Republicans opposing it. The House of Representatives voted to impeach Nixon, but he resigned before the Senate could hold a trial.

In his memoir, "RN," Nixon defended his actions, arguing that he had not broken any laws and that he was the victim of a political witch hunt. However, Nixon also acknowledged that he had made mistakes and that he had allowed his aides to take advantage of his trust. He wrote:

"I have never doubted that the Watergate scandal was a mistake. It was a mistake on my part to allow my aides to take advantage of my trust, and it was a mistake on my part to try to cover up their involvement. The Watergate scandal only served to further divide the country and to make it more difficult for me to govern."

The Impeachment of Bill Clinton

In 1998, Bill Clinton became the third US president to be impeached. The charges against him stemmed from a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him by Paula Jones and from his subsequent perjury and obstruction of justice. Clinton's impeachment was also a highly partisan affair, with Republicans supporting impeachment and Democrats opposing it. The House of Representatives voted to impeach Clinton, but the Senate acquitted him.

In his memoir, "My Life," Clinton defended his actions, arguing that he had not committed perjury or obstruction of justice and that he was the victim of a political witch hunt. However, Clinton also acknowledged that he had made mistakes and that he had allowed his personal life to interfere with his professional life. He wrote:

"I have never doubted that the impeachment process was a mistake. It was a mistake on the part of the Republicans to bring it, and it was a mistake on my part to resist it as I did. The impeachment process only served to further divide the country and to make it more difficult for me to govern."

The Impeachment of Donald Trump

In 2019, Donald Trump became the fourth US president to be impeached. The charges against him stemmed from his request that Ukraine investigate his political rival, Joe Biden. Trump's impeachment was also a highly partisan affair, with Democrats supporting impeachment and Republicans opposing it. The House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump, but the Senate acquitted him.

Trump has not yet written a memoir about his impeachment, but he has repeatedly defended his actions, arguing that he did nothing wrong and that he was the victim of a political witch hunt. However, Trump's impeachment has had a profound impact on American politics, and it is likely to be debated for years to come.

The impeachment of a US president is a rare and momentous event. It is a process that is designed to protect the Constitution and to ensure that the president is held accountable for his or her actions. However, impeachment is also a highly political process, and it can often lead to further division and conflict.

The four impeachments of US presidents have all been highly controversial, and they have all had a significant impact on American politics. It is likely that the impeachment of Donald Trump will continue to be debated for years to come, and it is possible that it could lead to further division and conflict. However, it is also possible that the impeachment process could help to strengthen the Constitution and to ensure that the president is held accountable for his or her actions.

Hacking Trump: or, How POTUS Sucker Punched America, Torpedoed Democracy & Left Us a Choice: Impeachment or Autocracy (A Writer Remembers)

by Benjamin T. Walker

4.5 out of 5