… And could/should apply today.

Today there is widespread concern that although former Cabinet members and former members of the President’s staff have been indicted, he may escape any punishment for acts that were committed in his political interest. During the Constitutional Convention, some members argued against including an impeachment clause on the grounds that a President is powerless without “coadjutors” (assistants) and those aides could always be punished. To that argument, George Mason responded in words that ring down the intervening years:

“Shall any man be above justice? Above all shall that man be above it, who can commit the most extensive injustice?” When great crimes were committed, George Mason was for punishing the principal as well as the coadjutors.