Question

Why did President Taft fire Gifford Pinchot for insubordination?

Answer 1

Gifford Pinchot was the first chief of the United States Forest Service under the term of President Taft. Pinchot was later fired for speaking out against Taft's policies.

Answer 2

It was consequential due to the firing of Pinchot, one of Teddy Roosevelt's close friends. This alienated several progressives within the Republican party and divided Taft and Roosevelt himself, which led to the split of the Republican Party in the 1912 presidential election.