Yes, Ulysses S. Grant was a Republican president. It is unclear whether Grant was a long-term Republican. Since the Republican Party did not exist until after Grant had begun his military service, he could not have been a life-long Republican. He was also not a publicly political man during the span of time between his initial military service and his re-enlistment during the Civil War. Grant was a more outspoken political person after the Civil War and quarreled with Andrew Johnson about Johnson's failures during Reconstruction. His quarrel with Johnson ultimately led Grant to align himself with the Radical Republicans for his presidential campaign. Grant's term of office did allow for the Radical Republicans to take a stronger hand during Reconstruction, but he also faced ethical issues with regard to the acceptance of gifts and the use of the spoils system to appoint cabinet members.
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