President Andrew Johnson faced impeachment for attempting to remove Stanton from office. It was ruled unclear whether he violated the act.
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No congressman could be removed from office without due process of the law.
The Tenure of Office stated that the president could not remove a government official without the approval of Congress However, President Johnson , claiming the act violated the Constitution, removed the Secretary of War, leading himself into a 3 month impeachment trial and almost getting removed from presidency.
Tenure of Office Act of 1867 made it illegal for the President to fire a cabinet member without the approval of Congress. It was used as grounds for impeaching President Andrew Johnson. It was later declared to be unconstitutional.
The law required approval by the Senate before a cabinet official ,or other officer whose appointment had been confirmed by Senate, could be fired by the President. President Johnson was impeached because he violated this law, when he fired Secretary of War Stanton. In addition the Tenure of Office Act required all Presidential orders to the military commanders be issued through General Grant.
Tenure of Office Act