No. 17 · The Presidents
Andrew Johnson
1865-1869
In 1867, Johnson vetoed the Tenure of Office Act, which would forbid the president from removing certain public officials without Senate consent. His veto was overridden, however, and the act became law. Johnson refused to accept this decision and dismissed his Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, for undermining his policies. Johnson underestimated the Senate's willingness to allow blatant affronts to federal law and was quickly impeached.
Lyrics
Capo 4 · Em, G, D/F♯
the tenure of the office act
required that the senate back
anyone the pres would want to boot
Johnson vetoed it straight it down
the senate overrid his crown
but Johnson said I'm bigger than all you
dismissed ol' Edwin Stanton
said you undermined me
but what Johnson didn't mind was federal law
the senate said you serious?
you think you can get away with this?
who in your name do you think you are?
impeached, impeached
it's not an ice cream flavor
it's a political wager saved for scum
just because you're president
don't mean you're king of government
you presican't do anything you want
From the book, published 2009 · song & page updated
Impeached, impeached