From the Federalist Papers for 2024

--

Patrick Henry of Virginia, who is skeptical of the power of impeachment to do anything other than inflame the will of a president who wants to be a despot. “If he be guilty,” asks Henry, “will not the recollection of his crimes teach him to make one bold push for the American throne?”

Will not the immense difference between being master of everything, and being ignominiously tried and punished, powerfully excite him to make this bold push? But, sir, where is the existing force to punish him? Can he not, at the head of his army, beat down every opposition? Away with your president: we shall have a king: the army will salute him monarch: your militia will leave you, and assist in making him king, and fight against you: and what have you to oppose this force? What will then become of you and your rights? Will not absolute despotism ensue?

--

--