The New Yorker
HOW IMPEACHMENT ENDED UP IN THE CONSTITUTION
At the Constitutional Convention, in 1787, James Madison thought of a lot of good reasons to impeach a President. Members of Congress might want to consult his list.PAINTING BY HOWARD CHANDLER CHRISTY; PHOTOGRAPH BY GRAPHICA ARTIS / GETTY
On the morning of Friday, July 20, 1787, delegates to the Constitutional Convention, in Philadelphia, addressed the question of whether or not a President could be impeached while in office. A king might be beheaded, a Prime Minister toppled. What fate could befall a terrible President?