Thaddeus Stevens argues that Andrew Johnson should be removed from office because he believes Johnson has failed to fulfill his chief duty as President, which is to obey the Constitution and ensure that the laws are faithfully executed. Stevens emphasizes that the President's role does not involve legislating or adjudicating laws but instead centers around the obligation to uphold and enforce the commands of the nation's sovereign power. If Johnson attempts to neglect this duty, he would be in direct violation of his official oath. Therefore, Stevens suggests that Johnson's actions or inactions constitute a dereliction of duty warranting his impeachment and removal from office.
"When Andrew Johnson took upon himself the duties of his high office he swore to obey the Constitution and take care that the laws be faithfully executed. That, indeed, is and has always been the chief duty of the President of the United States. The duties of legislation and adjudicating [making a judgment on] the laws of his country fall in no way to his lot. To obey the commands of sovereign power of the nation, and to see that others should obey them, was his whole duty-a duty which he could not escape, and any attempt to do so would be in direct violation of his official oath..."
-Thaddeus Stevens, Closing Remarks in the Impeachment Trial of Andrew Johnson, 1868
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According to the quotation, why does Stevens believe that Johnson should be removed from office?
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