Second impeachment inquiry into Andrew Johnson

Second impeachment inquiry against Andrew Johnson
AccusedAndrew Johnson, 17th President of the United States
CommitteeSelect Committee on Reconstruction
Committee chairThaddeus Stevens
DateJanuary 27– February 22, 1868 (3 weeks and 5 days)
OutcomeSelect Committee on Reconstruction recommended impeachment and reported an impeachment resolution; Johnson subsequently impeached
Charges
Congressional votes
House vote authorizing the inquiry
Votes in favor99
Votes against31
ResultApproved
House Committee on Reconstruction vote on the impeachment resolution
Votes in favor7
Votes against2
ResultApproved
The House afterwards voted on February 24, 1868 to impeach Andrew Johnson

The second impeachment inquiry against Andrew Johnson was an impeachment inquiry against United States President Andrew Johnson. It followed a previous inquiry in 1867. The second inquiry, unlike the first (which was run by the House Committee on the Judiciary), was run by the House Select Committee on Reconstruction. The second inquiry ran from its authorization on January 27, 1868, until the House Select Committee on Reconstruction reported to Congress on February 22, 1868.

By early February, it appeared the prospect of an impeachment advancing was improbable. This changed when, on February 21, 1868, Johnson attempted to dismiss and replace Secretary of War Edwin Stanton in violation of the Tenure of Office Act. That day, an impeachment resolution was forwarded to the select committee. The following day, the select committee approved a slightly amended version of the resolution in a party-line 7–2 vote (with all Republican members voting in favor of the impeachment resolution and Democratic members voting against it). On February 24, 1868, the impeachment resolution was passed by the House, thereby impeaching Johnson. Johnson was later acquitted in his impeachment trial.