“On the 20th of July 1787, Gouverneur Morris rose inside the stiflingly hot Independence Hall in Philadelphia to explain why he had changed his mind and now favored including a power of impeachment in the constitutional text.
Until that point, he and others had feared that an impeachment power would leave the president too dependent on Congress. He had thought the prospect of reelection defeat would offer a sufficient control on presidential wrongdoing.
But the arguments of other delegates had convinced him—and particularly an example from then-recent British history. A century earlier, Great Britain had been ruled by a king named Charles II. King Charles was the son of Charles I, the king whose head had been cut off during the English Civil War. Restored to the throne, Charles II had learned to tip-toe carefully around his dangerous subjects. But there was a problem: Charles wanted more money than Parliament willingly offered him. His solution? He reached out to an old friend and patron, the King of France, Louis XIV.”
Click here to see more
Relevant and recent posts
Neal Katyal on Challenging Trump’s Global Tariffs
On this special edition of the show, Barry sits down with Neal Katyal, Milbank LLP partner and former acting Solicitor General of the US. Barry…
Thought Leader: Neal Katyal
Erika Ayers Badan: Working For What You Want
Jennifer Fisher came by this week. She has a lot of energy and a spicy, strong, fuck-it-let’s-do-it vibe. Her baubles are also next level. We…
Thought Leader: Erika Ayers Badan
Pat Toomey: The GOP Needs a Growth Agenda
Journal Editorial Report: Paul Gigot interviews former U.S. Senator Pat Toomey. Looking for a voice of economic clarity and principled leadership? Former U.S. Senator Pat…
Thought Leader: Pat Toomey
More with this speaker
David Frum: Crypto Could Trigger the Next Financial Crisis
Thought Leader: David Frum
David Frum: America on the Brink of War With Venezuela
Thought Leader: David Frum
Subscribe to the WWSG newsletter.
Check Availability
- Loading