What was the primary charge in Andrew Johnson's impeachment?

• A. Violation of the Tenure of Office Act
• B. High crimes and misdemeanors
• C. Treason
• D. Bribery

Answer: (B)

Impeachment hinges on the constitutional standard of accusing a president of high crimes and misdemeanors. In Andrew Johnson’s case, the House framed the charges around that standard and focused on an abuse of presidential power—specifically, removing Edwin Stanton from the cabinet in defiance of the Tenure of Office Act. That act is cited as the concrete example of a high crime within the broader category. The phrase high crimes and misdemeanors is the key idea here, since it encompasses serious abuses of power rather than a named crime like treason or bribery. The Tenure of Office Act violation shows how the constitutional standard was applied in this situation, which is why the broad charge of high crimes and misdemeanors is the best answer.