Abstract
This paper is focused on the first executive cabinet member who was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives, Secretary of War William Belknap for blatant bribery. He also faced criminal prosecution. However, in the end the Senate failed to convict Belknap and his criminal prosecution was dismissed as well. This set a horrid precedent that has been followed by President Richard Nixon’s avoidance of impeachment and criminal prosecution as well as President Donald Trump’s two failed impeachments and evasion of criminal consequences.
Presenters
Ciara Torres SpelliscyProfessor, Law, Stetson University College of Law, Florida, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Military. Bribery, Impeachment, Constitutional Law, Prosecution, Legal, Coverture, Executive Power
