“The Executive will be always increasing here, as elsewhere, till it ends in a monarchy.” –Benjamin Franklin.
How to Get Rid of a President describes the true stories of how former Presidents were removed from office.
Ben didn’t need to worry as there are many ways to remove an unpopular President from office. Here are the eight explored in the book:
- Rejected by the party in the next election
- Undermined by others
- Dismissed preemptively
- Displaced by death
- Taken out by force
- Declared unable to serve
- Impeached and removed
- Shoved aside at the polls
How to Get Rid of a President Is a dense read chock full of examples of bad Presidents and their comeuppance. If you believe Trump is bad, you should read the story of Andrew Johnson, who is in most of the chapters as both parties tried desperately to get him out of the oval office. Nixon’s own staffers set a precedent of ignoring his often crazy or drunken executive orders. Despite democrats’ frequent calling for it to be used, impeaching a President is difficult to do and has never led to a sitting President’s removal.
This book is an important look into presidential politics. It is recommended for history buffs but also anyone unhappy with our current President. The stories here make him and even Hillary, if she had won, look good by comparison. 4 stars!
Thanks to the publisher, PublicAffairs, and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.