Answer:
The Marbury v. Madison case
Explanation:
Weeks before Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams in the 1800 presidential election, President Adams, along with the Congress, had enacted the Judiciary Act of 1789, which created new courts and judges. Adam's intention was to preserve his party’s control of the judiciary. When William Marbury, a Federalist Party leader from Maryland, didn't receive his commission he asked the new President's secretary of state, James Madison, to deliver the commission. However, Madison withheld the commission.
Marbury presented in the Supreme Court petitioning to compel the new Secretary of State to deliver the commission via writ of mandamu, as enabled in the Judiciary Act of 1789. In the case, it was decided that Madison’s refusal to deliver the commission was illegal, however, it was also established that Marbury's claim was itself unconstitutional for two main reasons:
- The Supreme Court did not have jurisdiction over the Marbury's case, according to Article III, Section 2 of the US Constitution, therefore it couldn't issue the writ that Marbury had requested.
- The Judiciary Act of 1789 conflicted with the Constitution as it added more courts and judges than what the Constitution established.
