Impeachment Attempts in U.S. History

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary reason Rep. Josiah Quincy III introduced an impeachment inquiry against President Thomas Jefferson?

Failure to appoint a successor

Mismanagement of the customs house

Keeping an elderly customs collector in position (correct)

Jefferson's veto of a tariff bill

What was the outcome of the impeachment inquiry proposed by Quincy against Jefferson?

It led to Jefferson's resignation

It was dismissed without discussion

It was rejected after consideration (correct)

It was approved by the House

Which statement represents a common argument made by opponents of Quincy's impeachment inquiry?

It was a violation of the Fourth Amendment

It was supported by both parties

Requesting Lincoln's continued service was not a high crime (correct)

There was sufficient evidence of a high crime

Who was the prominent figure leading the committee that condemned President John Tyler's veto in 1842?

John Quincy Adams Signup and view all the answers

What was the major political contention surrounding John Tyler's veto of the tariff bill?

Whigs' support for bank and tariff legislation Signup and view all the answers

What was the historical context regarding presidential vetoes before Tyler's presidency?

Presidents rarely vetoed bills, mainly citing constitutional reasons. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of Rep. John Botts' impeachment resolution against Tyler?

It was defeated in a vote of 127–83. Signup and view all the answers

What criticism did Tyler make regarding the House's vote against him?

He argued it was unjust without an actual impeachment inquiry. Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the petition to impeach Lyndon B. Johnson?

It was referred to the House Judiciary Committee with no subsequent action taken. Signup and view all the answers

What did the hearing held by the House Judiciary Committee on President Obama aim to address?

The president's constitutional duty to execute laws. Signup and view all the answers

Who provided a viewpoint on impeachment during the hearing on Obama?

Georgetown University law professor Nicholas Quinn Rosenkranz. Signup and view all the answers

During his presidency, what notable aspect did Obama achieve regarding impeachment proceedings?

He is the first president to have no impeachment articles referred against him during his tenure. Signup and view all the answers

What was the expected outcome of the proposed investigation of Tyler's actions?

A formal impeachment recommendation. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Impeachment Attempts and Resolutions

Josiah Quincy III introduced impeachment resolutions against President Thomas Jefferson in 1809, alleging a "high misdemeanor" for keeping Benjamin Lincoln in a customs position despite Lincoln's protests.
The resolution faced opposition and was ultimately rejected by the House by a vote of 117-1, with Quincy as the lone supporter.
Arguments against the resolution included that Jefferson's actions were not a high crime or misdemeanor and that there was no evidence of mismanagement.

Impeachment Attempts and Resignation during Impeachment Process

A 1842 committee, headed by John Quincy Adams, condemned President John Tyler's veto of a tariff bill, stating that his actions warranted impeachment.
The House accepted this report, implying impeachable offenses were committed by Tyler, in a 100–80 vote.
John Botts introduced an impeachment resolution against Tyler, but it was defeated in a 127-83 vote.
Tyler argued that the vote was a charge without an actual impeachment, denying his right to defend himself.

Investigations Without Impeachment

In 1968, a petition to impeach President Lyndon B. Johnson for "military and political duplicity" was referred to the House Judiciary Committee, but no action was taken.

Inquiries Voted Down by the Full House

In 2013, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on President Barack Obama, titled "The President's Constitutional Duty to Faithfully Execute the Laws."
This was considered an attempt to justify impeachment proceedings, but no articles of impeachment were referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
This made Obama the first president since Jimmy Carter without any articles of impeachment against him referred to the committee during his tenure.

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Description

Explore the significant attempts at impeachment throughout U.S. history, focusing specifically on Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Tyler. This quiz covers key resolutions, votes, and the arguments surrounding these historic events. Test your knowledge on the political ramifications and legal foundations of impeachment.