The Tenure of Office Act was a U.S. federal law enacted in 1867 that aimed to restrict the president's power to remove certain officeholders without the Senate's approval. This law was primarily designed to protect members of the Cabinet and other officials appointed by the president, ensuring that they could not be dismissed without legislative consent. The act became a significant point of contention during the presidency of Andrew Johnson, who opposed it. His violation of the act by attempting to remove Edwin M. Stanton, the Secretary of War, led to his impeachment in 1868, highlighting the ongoing struggle between the executive and legislative branches.