These judicial appointments represent a controversial chapter in early American history. They refer to the individuals selected by President John Adams in the final hours of his presidency, just before Thomas Jefferson took office. The appointments were part of the Judiciary Act of 1801, which aimed to reorganize the federal court system. These judgeships were hastily filled with Federalist Party members, designed to maintain Federalist influence within the judicial branch during the incoming Jeffersonian administration.
The appointments fueled intense political conflict. The Jeffersonian Republicans saw this action as a blatant attempt by the outgoing Federalist administration to pack the courts and thwart the will of the electorate. This maneuver led to significant legal challenges, most notably the landmark Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison. This case established the principle of judicial review, a vital check on the power of the legislative and executive branches. The incident highlights the deep political divisions that characterized the early republic and the enduring struggle for control of the federal government.
