 Garfield opposed the initial talk of impeaching President Johnson when Congress convened in December 1866 . However , he supported legislation to limit Johnson 's powers , such as the Tenure of Office Act , which restricted Johnson in removing presidential appointees . Distracted by committee duties , he rarely spoke in connection with these bills , but was a loyal Republican vote against Johnson . Due to a court case , he was absent on the day in April 1868 when the House impeached Johnson , but soon gave a speech aligning himself with Thaddeus Stevens and others who sought Johnson 's removal . When the president was acquitted in trial before the Senate , Garfield was shocked , and blamed the outcome of the trial on its presiding officer , Chief Justice Chase , his onetime mentor . 
