Why fires and presidents do not mix

Since the late 19th century, Congress has extended civil service protection to the vast number of federal employees. Usually, administration lawyers defend federal agencies like the SEC in matters before the high court. Noel Francisco told the court in February.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. Alito Jr. Gorsuch agreed. Justice Stephen G. The latest from Washington ». More stories from David G. Savage ». In the West, climate change is resulting in drier and hotter weather, more intense and frequent droughts, and low snowpack that, taken together, are increasing the risks of wildfire.

Battling blazes and protecting communities is costly, and more wildfires mean higher costs. Yet the agencies tasked with fighting fires on public lands—the U. Department of the Interior and the U. Forest Service—have long grappled with major budget shortfalls. To address these ballooning costs and to ensure that wildfire suppression costs do not overwhelm agency budgets, President Barack Obama has proposed a plan to overhaul how the United States pays the costs of responding to the most catastrophic wildfires.

In turn, federal agencies would be able to draw funds from a special disaster account dedicated to combating extreme fires. This common-sense proposal will have far-reaching benefits for American communities, parks, and public lands. We highlight three of these benefits below. In recent years, the worst 1 percent of wildfires have consumed 30 percent of total fire suppression budgets , and agencies have regularly had to divert resources from other priorities, including fire prevention, to pay these costs.

This would free up critical funds needed to proactively fight fires. Wildfires have become more violent and prevalent over the years due to climate change, among other factors; borrowing funds from other agency programs has become the norm.

The Interior Department and the Forest Service have greatly exceeded their wildfire budgets in 7 out of the past 12 years , using funds budgeted for hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire prevention, and emergency stabilization to make up the difference. These lands represent some of the greatest American treasures, are economic engines for local communities, and draw tourists from across the country and the world.

Since Stanton had been appointed by Lincoln, Johnson was not obligated to continue his service. Even if the senators accepted the act as constitutional, the defense team insisted, Johnson could not be impeached for a mistaken interpretation of the law.

Furthermore, they claimed that Johnson's intent was to test the very constitutionality of the act before the Supreme Court, which he had a right to do. The president, they insisted, should not be convicted and removed from office for misconstruing his constitutional rights. On the issue of appointing Thomas as interim officer, the defense team noted that Johnson was attempting, by necessity, to keep the War Department staffed and operational.

The president's action, they noted, had resulted in no public injury sufficiently grave to warrant removal from office. The trial of the president, including testimony of 25 prosecution and 16 defense witnesses, became a public spectacle as well as a constitutional crisis. It gave the grand orators of the Senate a chance to dazzle the public with their speaking skills, and the trial was conducted mostly in open session before a packed gallery.

During final deliberations on the 11 articles of impeachment, however, the Senate cleared the gallery and closed the doors.

Acknowledging the spectacular nature of the trial, the Senate opted to manage the overflow crowds by strictly controlling access to the visitors' gallery through a ticket system. For each trial day, 1, tickets were printed, allowing admission for a single day. Social and political protocol dictated the distribution of tickets, with 40 going to the diplomatic corps, 20 to the president, 4 to each senator, 4 to the Chief Justice, and 2 to each representative, with the few remaining tickets to be distributed to the public.

Members of Congress received hundreds of requests each day for the highly coveted tickets. Sensational in every detail, the trial ended in a dramatic fashion.

Johnson's fiercest opponents in the Senate maneuvered a vote on only 3 of the 11 articles of impeachment, believing those 3 offered the greatest chance to gain conviction. On May 16, , in a dramatic call of the roll, 35 senators voted to convict the president of "high crimes and misdemeanors," while 19 senators voted to acquit. A clear majority voted against the president, but the tally fell one vote short of the necessary two-thirds majority to convict. Ten days later, when the Senate voted on articles 2 and 3, the result was the same.

Notable among the 19 senators who voted to acquit were seven "Republican Recusants" who defied their party to save the impeached president. Johnson served out his term as president, leaving office on March 4, In he ran a successful senatorial campaign and returned to Washington—to the very chamber where he had been tried and acquitted a few years earlier.

He served just three months before his death on July 31, Mar 27, Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act. Stanton removed from office. Feb 22, The House Committee on Reconstruction reported resolution of impeachment against Johnson. Feb 24, House voted to 47 to impeach Johnson of high crimes and misdemeanors. Feb 25, House informed Senate of impeachment vote. Feb 28, Rules of procedure in impeachment trials reported in the Senate.

Mar 2, House approved articles of impeachment. House managers appointed. Mar 2, Senate adopted updated rules of impeachment. Mar 4, House presented articles of impeachment to the Senate. Chase presiding, Senate trial began at p. Mar 7, Sergeant-at-arms presented summons to President Johnson, who chose not to appear at trial. Mar Apr 9, Prosecution presented its case. Apr , Defense presented its case. May 7, Senate deliberated in closed session on articles of impeachment. May 16, Senate voted 35 to 19 to acquit on article May 26, Senate voted 35 to 19 to acquit on articles 2 and 3.

May 26, Senate acquitted Johnson and adjourned as court of impeachment. John A. Bingham of Ohio. George S. Boutwell of Massachusetts. James F. Wilson of Iowa. Benjamin F. Butler of Massachusetts chief prosecuting attorney. Thomas Williams of Pennsylvania. Thaddeus Stevens of Pennsylvania. Logan of Illinois. First presidential impeachment Impeachment resolution passed prior to formal presentation of articles of impeachment. That said Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, on the 21st day of February, in the year of our Lord, , at Washington, in the District of Columbia, unmindful of the high duties of his oath of office and of the requirements of the Constitution, that he should take care that the laws be faithfully executed, did unlawfully, in violation of the Constitution and laws of the United States, issue an order in writing for the removal of Edwin M.

Stanton having been, therefor, duly appointed and commissioned by and with the advice and consent of the Senate of the United States as such Secretary; and said Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, on the 12th day of August, in the year of our Lord , and during the recess of said Senate, having suspended by his order Edwin M.

Stanton did forthwith resume the functions of his office, whereof the said Andrew Johnson had then and there notice, and the said Edwin M. Stanton, by reason of the premises, on said 21st day of February, was lawfully entitled to hold said office of Secretary for the Department of War, which said order for the removal of said Edwin M. Stanton is, in substance, as follows, that is to say:. Executive Mansion, Washington, D. Sir: By virtue of the power and authority vested in me, as President, by the Constitution and laws of the United States, you are hereby removed from the office of Secretary for the Department of War and your functions as such will terminate upon receipt of their communication.

You will transfer to Brevet Major-General L. Thomas, Adjutant-General of the Army, who has this day been authorized and empowered to act as Secretary of War ad interim, all books, paper and other public property now in your custody and charge. Respectfully, yours,. To the Hon. Stanton, Secretary of War. Stanton from the office of Secretary for the Department of War, whereby said Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, did then and there commit, and was guilty of a high misdemeanor in office.

Thomas to be Secretary of War ad interim , by issuing to said Lorenzo Thomas a letter of authority, in substance as follows, that is to say:.