What tool of the presidency did Johnson use to try to stop Congress and stricter plan for Reconstruction?

President Andrew Johnson used the veto power as a tool of the presidency to oppose Congress's more stringent Reconstruction plans. He vetoed key legislation, including the Freedmen's Bureau Bill and the Civil Rights Act of 1866, believing they infringed on states' rights and were too punitive toward the South. His vetoes were often overridden by Congress, leading to a significant conflict between the executive and legislative branches. This struggle ultimately contributed to his impeachment in 1868.