Ulysses S. Grant (18th U.S. President, historical)

resiliently flawed alcoholic commanding institution-building electorally indifferent militarily triumphant decisive legacy-bearing

Ulysses S. Grant, the Union general who became the 18th President of the United States, anchors late‑19th century federal authority in both military and civic registers. Within the series he appears as a historical touchstone: Bartlet invokes Grant as the president who signed the act establishing Yellowstone, linking Grant’s executive imprimatur to America’s first national park. Grant’s legacy here functions as an institutional precedent—military leadership translated into executive decisions that create enduring national institutions and policy precedents.

3 appearances

Federal executive leadership and national conservation policy

Also known as: Grant, Ulysses Grant, President Grant, General Grant

Ulysses S. …'s Journey

A timeline through the narrative

3 moments

S3E17 · Stirred

Leo Abruptly Rejects VP Running Mate Proposal

N/A (historical reference)

Ulysses S. Grant is repeatedly invoked as flawed precedent—drunk general who voted against his party yet won the Civil War—anchoring the debate on tolerating personal demons for political victory.

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S3E17 · Stirred

Donna Presses Josh for Retiring Teacher's Proclamation

Humorous deflection of gravity.

Jokingly pitched by Josh as absurd VP replacement to Sam, echoing Roosevelt Room debates on flawed leaders' electoral utility.

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S3E17 · Stirred

Josh Reveals Hoynes Replacement Plot to Sam

Historically neutral, wielded for levity

Ulysses S. Grant is jokingly named by Josh as a VP option, invoking historical tolerance for flawed victors to underscore the stakes.

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Affiliation

Rwandan Army

Military-Led Mineral Smuggling and International Sanctions Evasion