How did the 'Midnight Judges' contribute to the origins of the Marbury v. Madison case?
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Correct answer: They were judges appointed by John Adams in the final hours of his presidency
The 'Midnight Judges' refers to the federal judges appointed by President John Adams just before his term ended to secure Federalist control of the judiciary. William Marbury was one of these appointees whose commission was signed but not delivered before the Jefferson administration took office.
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More Marbury v. Madison questions
- Which specific act of Congress was partially struck down by the Supreme Court in Marbury v. Madison?
- What is the definition of 'Judicial Review' as established by the Marshall Court?
- Why did James Madison, as Secretary of State, refuse to deliver William Marbury's commission?
- Which article of the U.S. Constitution did John Marshall cite to argue that the Constitution is superior to ordinary acts of Congress?
- What was the Supreme Court's final ruling regarding William Marbury's right to his commission?
- Which legal principle suggests that it is 'emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is'?