When America’s Founding Fathers were debating how to set up a brand new government, they ran into a problem: What should happen if a president, in Benjamin Franklin’s words, has “rendered himself obnoxious”?
Most countries didn’t have elected leaders, or ways to get rid of them. So Franklin and the framers turned to a provision of British common law known as impeachment.
But the Founding Fathers put their own American spin on it. For one thing, impeachment in America wouldn’t end in death, the way it sometimes did in Great Britain. The founders also set up the process so that it was nearly impossible for a president to be removed from power without significant support from his own political party.
From Reconstruction to Watergate to Bill Clinton’s saga, support from the president’s party was critical to either removing a president or keeping him in power. Check out the video above to find out how.
Contributions are a key part of the future of Vox
Readers rely on Vox for clear, nuanced coverage that not only illuminates the issues, but poses solutions, too. And we rely on help from our readers: Advertising and grants cover the majority of our costs, but we count on contributions to help us close the gaps in our budget. In fact, we’re looking to reach 95,000 individual contributions before the end of the year. Will you make the next contribution right now? Our average gift is just $20 — and it goes a long way in helping us keep our work free. Vox is here to help everyone understand what’s shaping the world — not just the people who can afford to pay for a subscription. We believe that’s an important part of building a more equal society. Join that mission by making a contribution today.
Yes, I'll give $5/month
Yes, I'll give $5/month
We accept credit card, Apple Pay, and
Google Pay. You can also contribute via
