Michael J. Gerhardt at Harvard Book Store

Harvard Book Store welcomes MICHAEL J. GERHART—Professor of Jurisprudence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—for a discussion of his new book The Law of Presidential Impeachment: A Guide for the Engaged Citizen. He will be joined in conversation by MICHAEL J. KLARMAN—author of The Framers’ Coup: The Making of the United States Constitution.

About The Law of Presidential Impeachment

As a result of Donald Trump’s presidency, impeachment was once again thrust into the spotlight of American political discussion. However, its history goes back to the very founding of the nation, when American colonists, remembering their grievances against their former king, entrenched the process in their new Constitution.

The Law of Presidential Impeachment breaks down both the law and politics of this process, providing a comprehensive, nonpartisan, and up-to-date explanation of the Constitution’s various mechanisms for holding presidents accountable for their misdeeds. Based on a lifetime of scholarly research, as well as unique experience as a witness and consultant in the impeachment trials of Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, Michael J. Gerhardt’s new book takes the reader back to the basics of presidential impeachments. Rather than provide reasons for or against impeaching particular presidents, he explains the law and procedures that govern impeachment, examining a number of significant, yet under-explored, issues and themes. Gerhardt offers new perspectives on the subject, arguing that it cannot be properly understood in a vacuum, but must instead be viewed in the context of its coordination with such other mechanisms as criminal prosecutions, censure, elections, congressional oversight, and the Fourteenth and Twenty-Fifth Amendments.

The Law of Presidential Impeachment will be an invaluable, accessible guide for future generations, giving them a succinct yet remarkably nuanced understanding of this core aspect of our executive branch and overarching governmental system.

Praise for The Law of Presidential Impeachment

"A sharp, informed treatment of impeachment, for experts and newcomers alike, incorporating what has been learned as a result of recent events, and with a detailed discussion of the Trump impeachment and associated events." —Cass R. Sunstein, Robert Walmsley University Professor, Harvard University

"Gerhardt, a nationally recognized expert on this topic, is the exact scholar needed to write this concise and accessible guide to all things impeachment. This will certainly be the new definitive text on the subject." —Lori Cox Han, Professor of Political Science, Chapman University

"An accessible and insightful tour through American presidential impeachments by the foremost scholar in the field. On a topic that stirs up political passions, Michael Gerhardt provides sober judgement." —Keith Whittington, William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Politics, Princeton University

Mask Policy

Masks are encouraged but not required for this event.