Description
This indispensable work traces impeachment from its bloody origins in medieval England, to its adoption in the Constitution, and through 250 years of American experience culminating in the two impeachments of Donald Trump. Frank O. Bowman III tells the stories, human and political, of nobles, commoners, colonists, judges, legislators, cabinet officers, and Presidents who have faced impeachment. He demonstrates that the practice was designed to be a flexible tool, informed by history, and adaptable to the needs of any age. The first edition was read by Democrats and Republicans and cited extensively by the advocates in both Trump impeachments. In this second edition, Bowman expands the first edition's deep historical and constitutional analysis. He also draws on his involvement in both Trump impeachments as a congressional consultant and frequent commentator, to assess Trump's aberrant presidency, his impeachments, and whether impeachment remains a useful tool against an overreaching president.
Table of Contents
Introduction; 1. British Impeachments (1376–1787); 2. American Impeachments Before 1787; 3. The Founders' Impeachment; 4. Impeaching Legislators & Lesser Executive Branch Officials; 5. Impeachment of Judges; 6. The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson; 7. The Fall of President Richard Nixon; 8. The Strange Case of William Jefferson Clinton; 9. How Donald J. Trump Became President; 10. The Mueller Investigation: Trump Avoids Impeachment for Russian Collusion and Obstruction of Justice; 11. Paths not taken to Trump impeachment – Emoluments and Self-Enrichment; 12. The Twenty-fifth Amendment Alternative; 13. Ukraine, a 'Perfect Call' & the Road to Trump's First Impeachment; 14. The House Impeaches Trump for Ukraine; 15. The First Senate Trial of Donald Trump; 16. The Verdict in the First Trump Impeachment and Its Lessons; The Senate Votes and Explains Itself; 17. Donald Trump's Second Impeachment, Trial, and Acquittal; 18. Conclusion; Appendix; Index.
