What significant power was restricted by the Tenure of Office Act?

The Tenure of Office Act, passed in 1867, was designed to restrict the power of the President to remove federal officials from their posts without the approval of the Senate. This act aimed to protect certain officeholders, particularly those appointed by President Abraham Lincoln and his successor Andrew Johnson, from being dismissed by a President who might not support their policies or goals.

By requiring Senate approval for the removal of officials, the act effectively limited the President's authority to appoint or dismiss key members of his administration, thereby shifting some power toward Congress in the context of control over executive appointments. This restriction was a reflection of the broader struggle between Congress and the Presidency during the Reconstruction era, particularly following the Civil War, as lawmakers sought to assert control over the federal government.

The implications of the Tenure of Office Act became especially pronounced during President Johnson's administration, leading to his impeachment when he violated the act by attempting to remove Edwin Stanton, the Secretary of War. This significant political conflict underscored the tensions between different branches of government and shaped the evolving nature of presidential powers moving forward.