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Federalist No. 64
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Federalist Papers, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Importance of the Constitution
The Necessity of a Strong Union
Leadership and Representation
Checks and Balances
Federal Power vs. States Rights
Summary
Analysis
Alexander Hamilton describes the Senate’s power over impeachment trials, arguing that it is the best-suited body to handle such matters. He explains that impeachment is not a purely legal process but a political one, requiring judgment based on the broader interests of the nation. The Senate, due to its experience and detachment from immediate electoral pressures, is more capable of conducting fair and thorough trials than the House or the judiciary. Hamilton acknowledges that partisan interests can influence impeachment trials, but he argues that the Senate’s structure minimizes this risk. Because senators represent entire states and serve longer terms, they are less likely to be swayed by temporary political factions. The impeachment power is a necessary safeguard, allowing Congress to remove corrupt officials while maintaining stability in the government.
Hamilton’s argument here strategically assigns impeachment trials to the Senate as a means of managing the inherently political nature of removing an official. By situating the process in a body with longer terms and equal state representation, he crafts a safeguard against the whims of immediate partisan pressure. The Senate’s design, which buffers against short-term electoral dynamics, is intended to foster measured judgment in politically charged decisions. This approach reveals a deliberate choice to rely on institutional structure over procedural legalism, ensuring that the removal of officials remains a stabilizing, rather than destabilizing, function of government.
Themes
