Before losing political power in the executive and legislative branches, Federalist (nationalist) President John Adams signs the Judiciary Act of 1801, reducing the number of Supreme Court justices from six to five. This is to prevent Republican (constitutionalist) Vice President Thomas Jefferson, who will be inaugurated as president in three weeks from appointing a replacement. The act also relieves the justices from circuit duty, by creating 16 new judgeships for that purpose.
[restored 11/7/2021]
Subsequent Events:
Authority:
Article II, Section 2 [Clause 2]
ccc-2point0.com/constitution-for-the-united-states
References:
“Chronology of Events, 1774-1804,” from The Debate on the Constitution, two volumes, Bernard Bailyn, ed., (New York: Library of America, 1992), 2:1083.
Current U.s. National Debt:
