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NYC Liberal

(20,140 posts)

27. The Senate held a trial for a Secretary of War who resigned:

Reply to DonaldsRump (Reply #24)

Sat Jan 9, 2021, 03:16 PM

Jan 2021

On March 2, 1876, just minutes before the House of Representatives was scheduled to vote on articles of impeachment, Belknap raced to the White House, handed Grant his resignation, and burst into tears.

This failed to stop the House. Later that day, members voted unanimously to send the Senate five articles of impeachment, charging Belknap with “criminally disregarding his duty as Secretary of War and basely prostituting his high office to his lust for private gain.”

The Senate convened its trial in early April, with Belknap present, after agreeing that it retained impeachment jurisdiction over former government officials. During May, the Senate heard more than 40 witnesses, as House managers argued that Belknap should not be allowed to escape from justice simply by resigning his office.

https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/War_Secretarys_Impeachment_Trial.htm

If it wasn’t possible, anyone could evade a lifetime ban from office by simply resigning right between the conviction vote and the disqualification vote.

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28 replies

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CNN Some Republicans will consider voting for second Trump impeachment [View all] Wicked Blue Jan 2021 OP

"some" I hope that means 25 Senators apnu Jan 2021 #1

Nope. 67 Senators needed to convict DonaldsRump Jan 2021 #6

Is it 66 without perdue? jcgoldie Jan 2021 #9

That's a very good point DonaldsRump Jan 2021 #14

All good points, 16 is easier to find than 25. apnu Jan 2021 #15

The trial probably won't start before the inauguration. There will be 100 Senators sitting. Marcuse Jan 2021 #19

I don't think they can or will hold a conviction trial after Trump is no longer President DonaldsRump Jan 2021 #24

It is counterintuitive. Marcuse Jan 2021 #25

Yup sounds like what Trump will be facing at most cstanleytech Jan 2021 #26

The Senate held a trial for a Secretary of War who resigned: NYC Liberal Jan 2021 #27

Excellent! Thank you for posting this DonaldsRump Jan 2021 #28

We need 2/3 of the Senate to convict. Our 48 plus 18 repubs? Kaleva Jan 2021 #8

I would hope King and Sanders would vote for this. AllyCat Jan 2021 #17

Impeach or give every future president power to attack Congress C_U_L8R Jan 2021 #2

The seriousness of this should be a wake up call just what a dangerous situation we are in because still_one Jan 2021 #3

It would actually be a good move for them. It prevents him from ever running for office. marmar Jan 2021 #4

They better consider fast. LisaL Jan 2021 #5

I hear Collins is getting concerned. She will definitely consider this before rejecting it. cbdo2007 Jan 2021 #7

Mighty big of them considering dump endangered ALL their lives! SheltieLover Jan 2021 #10

PUBLIC ENEMY #1 TigressDem Jan 2021 #11

Articles seem reasonable? WTF? blueinredohio Jan 2021 #12

They can all instruct Pence to 25 him, and get him gone. lindysalsagal Jan 2021 #13

Pence won't fall on his sword to protect the GOP dansolo Jan 2021 #16

The MAGATS already want Pence dead. Marcuse Jan 2021 #20

Romney voted to impeach before and will surely do so again. Liberty Belle Jan 2021 #18

I can think of seven offhand: PCIntern Jan 2021 #21

RACHEL MADE A KEY POINT ON THIS writes3000 Jan 2021 #22

Daniel Goldman was on Hayes explaining moonscape Jan 2021 #23