Which of the following is true in the case of Marbury v. Madison?
a. it established that Congress had the sole right to formulate national legislation
b. it supported Thomas Jefferson in his claim to have “executive review”
c. it backed William Marbury in his request for a bank charter
d. it affirmed the principle of judicial review e. it determined the Senate’s right to “advise and consent”
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is:
d. It affirmed the principle of judicial review.
Explanation:
The landmark Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison, decided in 1803, established the principle of judicial review, granting the judicial branch the power to declare laws and actions of Congress and the executive branch unconstitutional. This case, presided over by Chief Justice John Marshall, fundamentally shaped the role of the Supreme Court and cemented its authority within the federal government.
The case arose from an incident involving “midnight judges.” Near the end of his presidency, John Adams appointed several Federalist judges to fill newly created judicial positions, aiming to secure Federalist influence in the government. William Marbury, one of these appointees, was designated as a justice of the peace in the District of Columbia. However, when Thomas Jefferson assumed the presidency, his Secretary of State, James Madison, refused to deliver Marbury’s commission, preventing him from taking office.
Marbury filed a petition with the Supreme Court, requesting a writ of mandamus to compel Madison to deliver his commission. The Court ultimately ruled that while Marbury had a right to the commission, the Judiciary Act of 1789, which authorized the Court to issue writs of mandamus, was itself unconstitutional. Thus, Marbury’s request could not be granted.
Through this decision, Chief Justice Marshall asserted that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and that the judiciary has the responsibility to interpret it. This established the precedent of judicial review, empowering the Supreme Court to assess the constitutionality of federal laws and executive actions. Marbury v. Madison set a critical foundation for the balance of power among the branches of government and underscored the judiciary’s role as a check on legislative and executive powers. This principle remains central to the U.S. legal system today.