The vice presidency has often been seen as a quiet corner of American politics, a position tucked beneath the spotlight. But that perception doesn’t always match the truth. Throughout U.S. history, several vice presidents have stirred deep controversy, sometimes overshadowing even the presidents they served. Whether it was through personal scandal, political rivalry, ideological clashes, or legal battles, these figures left behind legacies that continue to spark debate. Far from being passive seat-fillers, these men played key roles in shaping policies, challenging norms, and, in some cases, shaking public trust. Though often overlooked, their actions reveal just how influential—and disruptive—the vice presidency can be.
1. Aaron Burr (1801–1805)
Aaron Burr’s vice presidency was anything but quiet. From the moment he took office under Thomas Jefferson, Burr was entangled in political intrigue and personal rivalry. His deadly 1804 duel with Alexander Hamilton shocked the young nation and became a defining scandal of early American politics. But Burr’s troubles didn’t end there. After leaving office, he became linked to a mysterious expedition that raised alarms across the nation. Accused of plotting to create an independent empire in the West—or possibly incite rebellion—he was arrested and tried for treason. Though acquitted, his reputation was forever stained. Burr was a man of ambition and talent, but his reckless moves and shadowy alliances turned him into one of the most polarizing figures to ever serve as vice president.
2. John C. Calhoun (1825–1832)
John C. Calhoun is the only person in U.S. history to resign from the vice presidency, but controversy surrounded him long before that. Serving under both John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson, Calhoun was a staunch defender of states’ rights and slavery, positions that placed him in direct conflict with federal authority and growing abolitionist sentiment. His most infamous stance came during the Nullification Crisis, when he argued that states could nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional. This bold assertion put him at odds with President Jackson, leading to a bitter split within the administration. Calhoun’s aggressive political theories not only strained national unity but also laid intellectual groundwork for the eventual secession of Southern states. His legacy is one of brilliance laced with dangerous divisiveness.
3. Richard Mentor Johnson (1837–1841)
Serving under President Martin Van Buren, Richard Mentor Johnson brought an unusual mix of military fame and personal scandal to the vice presidency. He was celebrated for killing the Shawnee leader Tecumseh during the War of 1812—a story that made him a frontier hero—but his time in office was overshadowed by his openly acknowledged relationship with Julia Chinn, an enslaved woman he treated as his common-law wife. In a society deeply steeped in racial prejudice, Johnson’s defiance of social norms shocked both Northern and Southern politicians. His political credibility suffered, and many in his own party refused to support him for re-election. While Johnson’s actions revealed a complex personal conviction, they also sparked outrage that made his vice presidency one of the most socially controversial of the 19th century.
4. Schuyler Colfax (1869–1873)
Schuyler Colfax began his political life with a reputation for integrity, rising through the ranks as a reform-minded congressman before becoming vice president under Ulysses S. Grant. But his image took a hard hit during the Crédit Mobilier scandal, one of the most notorious examples of political corruption in 19th-century America. As the story unraveled, Colfax was found to have accepted shares in a construction company tied to railroad contracts—deals he may have helped influence while in Congress. The revelations surfaced near the end of his term, effectively ending his career. Even without formal charges, the revelations were enough to tarnish his public image and derail his political future. His fall from grace revealed how even high ideals could be compromised by the temptations of power and profit in the post-Civil War political landscape.
5. Henry A. Wallace (1941–1945)
Henry A. Wallace, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s second vice president, was an intellectual and a progressive whose views often clashed with mainstream political thinking, especially on foreign policy. Wallace advocated for cooperation with the Soviet Union at a time when Cold War tensions were beginning to simmer. His openness to global socialism and belief in peaceful coexistence with communism alarmed many in Washington, including members of his own party. Despite his loyalty to FDR, Democratic leaders forced him off the ticket in 1944, fearing his left-leaning ideals could endanger national security. Though he later ran as a third-party candidate in 1948, his time in the national spotlight was effectively over. Wallace remains a controversial figure—visionary to some, dangerously naïve to others—whose tenure reflected the uneasy balancing act between idealism and realpolitik during wartime America.
6. John C. Breckinridge (1857–1861)
John C. Breckinridge was the youngest person to ever serve as vice president, but his political legacy became far more complicated than his early success suggested. Serving under President James Buchanan, Breckinridge tried to maintain a middle ground as tensions between North and South escalated. However, when civil war broke out, he sided with the Confederacy—a decision that shocked many of his former allies. He went on to take up arms as a Confederate general and later held the position of Secretary of War for the Confederacy. Branded a traitor by the Union, Breckinridge’s career arc is one of the most dramatic reversals in American political history, moving from the nation’s second-highest office to open rebellion against it.
7. Elbridge Gerry (1813–1814)
Elbridge Gerry may be best known today for the term “gerrymandering,” but his time as vice president was also steeped in controversy. After serving as governor of Massachusetts and signing off on a redistricting plan designed to benefit his party, his name became forever linked to political manipulation. His tenure as vice president under James Madison was brief, ending with his death in office, but his political legacy stirred debate long after. While he was a respected Revolutionary figure, Gerry’s association with partisan redistricting painted him as a figure who blurred ethical lines for political gain. His name endures not just in textbooks but in ongoing debates about fair representation.
8. George M. Dallas (1845–1849)
Serving under President James K. Polk, George M. Dallas played a key role during one of the most expansionist periods in U.S. history—but his actions weren’t without controversy. While Polk led the charge on manifest destiny, Dallas often used his influence in the Senate to push for aggressive territorial acquisition, including the annexation of Texas and the war with Mexico that followed. His support for expanding slavery into new territories made him a polarizing figure in both the North and the South. Though he aligned with Polk’s agenda, Dallas frequently clashed with members of his own party, especially over tariff policy, where he broke a Senate tie in favor of lowering duties—a move that enraged manufacturers in his home state of Pennsylvania. His tenure exposed deep national divides over trade, expansion, and slavery. While not often remembered today, Dallas’s controversial decisions helped stoke tensions that would eventually boil over into the Civil War.
9. Spiro Agnew (1969–1973)
Few vice presidents have fallen from grace as spectacularly as Spiro Agnew. Initially seen as a tough-talking law-and-order figure, Agnew became a rising star in Richard Nixon’s administration. As Nixon battled the unraveling Watergate crisis, Agnew found himself entangled in a separate controversy—allegations surfaced that he had taken bribes and illegal payments not only while serving as Maryland’s governor but also during his time as vice president. Under mounting legal pressure, Agnew resigned in 1973 and pleaded no contest to tax evasion. His resignation marked one of the rare times a vice president left office under criminal investigation. Agnew’s downfall added yet another layer of chaos to an already turbulent political era.
10. Daniel D. Tompkins (1817–1825)
Though Daniel D. Tompkins is often overlooked today, his time as vice president under James Monroe was riddled with financial and personal struggles that raised eyebrows even in his own day. During the War of 1812, Tompkins had used personal funds to support New York’s militia efforts, expecting to be reimbursed by the federal government. But when that reimbursement was delayed, his financial situation deteriorated rapidly. He was plagued by debt, and his declining health and heavy drinking became subjects of concern. Critics questioned his ability to carry out his duties, and some even suggested he was unfit for the role. Tompkins’ story is a cautionary tale of personal sacrifice overshadowed by scandal, reminding us that even patriotic efforts can come with a heavy cost.
