The U.S. Supreme Court decides McCulloch v. Maryland, with Chief Justice John Marshall authoring a landmark opinion establishing that Congress has implied powers under the Constitution’s “Necessary and Proper Clause” and that federal law is supreme over state law, preventing states …
Chief Justice John MarshallU.S. Supreme CourtSecond Bank of the United StatesState of MarylandJames W. McCullochjudicial-powerfederal-supremacyimplied-powersstate-sovereigntyinstitutional-protection
The U.S. Supreme Court rules in Fletcher v. Peck that Georgia’s attempt to rescind the fraudulent 1795 Yazoo land sale violates the Constitution’s contract clause, marking the first time the Court strikes down a state law. Chief Justice John Marshall writes that while the bribery of …
Chief Justice John MarshallU.S. Supreme CourtJohn PeckRobert FletcherGeorgia Legislaturejudicial-corruptioncontract-clauseelite-protectionland-speculationaccountability-evasion
President Thomas Jefferson issues a proclamation warning that an unlawful military expedition against Spanish Mexico is being planned, marking the beginning of federal response to the Burr Conspiracy—a treasonous plot by former Vice President Aaron Burr to either invade Spanish territories or detach …
Aaron BurrGeneral James WilkinsonPresident Thomas JeffersonChief Justice John Marshallelite-corruptiontreasonjudicial-protectionaccountability-crisisinstitutional-capture
The U.S. Supreme Court issues its landmark decision in Marbury v. Madison, with Chief Justice John Marshall declaring for the first time that federal courts possess the power to strike down laws passed by Congress that violate the Constitution. Marshall writes that “A Law repugnant to the …
Chief Justice John MarshallWilliam MarburySecretary of State James MadisonU.S. Supreme Courtjudicial-powerconstitutional-interpretationinstitutional-captureunelected-powerjudicial-supremacy