franklin warned nobody knows what sort may come after ward. how do we reign in a president? the founders knew they had to do something to stop tyrants. he will spare no pains to keep himself in for life and lay a train for the succession of his children. what would warrant impeachment? james madison worried a president might lose his capacity. or worse betray his trust to foreign powers sfwl a theme that washington hammers over and over again. no foreign influence in our early republic. in the 18th century impeachment was certainly more civilized than the alternative. before there was impeachment. the only course would be assassination. better to be put on trial than to face the knife. after much debate the
the succession of his children. but what would warrant impeachment? james madison worried a president might lose his capacity, pervert his administration, or even worse betray his trust to foreign powers. this is a theme that george washington hammers over and over again. no foreign influence in our early republic. reporter: and in the 18th century, impeachment was certainly more civilized than the alternative. before there was impeachment, the only course would be assassination. better to be put on trial franklin argued than to face the knife. reporter: after much debate, the constitutional congress settled on these. treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. it s simple. it s a crime against the state, a crime against the people. you don t need to break a law to commit a high crime.
do something to stop tyrants. reporter: as hew williamson said he will keep no pains to keep himself in for life and will lay a train for the succession of his children. but what would warrant impeachment? james madison worried a president might lose his capacity, pervert his administration or even worse betray his trust to foreign powers. this is a theme george washington hammers over and over oagain. no foreign influence in our early republic. reporter: and in the 18th century impeachment was more civilizeded than the alternative. before impeachment the only course would be assassination. better p better be put on trail than face the knife. reporter: they settled on these charges, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. it s simple.
power was a very big concern. reporter: they trusted george washington to be the first president to put the states interest before his own. but benjamin franklin warned nobody knows what sort may come afterwards. how do we rein in a president the founders knew that they had to do something to stop tire ants and despots. reporter: as hugh williamson said, he will spare no pains to keep himself in for life and will then lay a train for the succession of his children. but what would warrant impeachment? james madison worried a president might lose hi capacity, pervert his administration or even worse betray his trust to foreign powers. this is a theme that george washington hammers over and over again, no foreign influence in our early republic. reporter: and in the 18th century, impeachment was certainly more civilized than