Episode 1 of 3

Violation of Tenure Act

When: February 21, 1868
Where: Executive Branch
Part of: Event of 1868: Impeachment of Andrew Johnson: The United States House of Representatives votes

Johnson appointed Lorenzo Thomas as Secretary of War ad interim on February 21, 1868, attempting to replace Stanton.

Johnson attempted to replace Stanton with Lorenzo Thomas, a brevet major general. This action was intended to violate the Tenure of Office Act, which protected Stanton from dismissal without Senate consent. The appointment triggered the final impeachment proceedings in the House.

Sources

Impeachment of Andrew Johnson Wikipedia, revision of 2026-07-15

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