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"That instrument (the Constitution] meant that its co-ordinate branches should be checks on each other.

But the opinion which gives to the judges the right to decide what laws are constitutional, and what not,
not only for themselves in their own sphere of action, but for the legislature & executive also in their
spheres, would make the judiciary a despotic branch."
-Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, September 11, 1804"
This excerpt supports the conclusion that Jefferson disagreed with -

The congressional power of impeachment
The presidential power to veto bills
The states power to amend the Constitution
The Supreme Court's power of judicial review
the

User ArrH
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2 Answers

8 votes

Final answer:

Thomas Jefferson disagreed with the Supreme Court's power of judicial review, which he feared could lead to a despotic judiciary and upset the balance of power among the branches of government.

Step-by-step explanation:

The excerpt from Thomas Jefferson's letter to Abigail Adams on September 11, 1804, indicates that Jefferson disagreed with the Supreme Court's power of judicial review. Jefferson expressed concern that allowing judges to determine the constitutionality of laws not only for their own branch but for the legislature and executive as well could turn the judiciary into a despotic branch. This view suggests that he was wary of the judiciary having too much power and potentially overshadowing the other branches of government, which goes against the principle of checks and balances as outlined by the Baron Montesquieu and embodied in the Constitution. The power of judicial review was indeed established in the landmark 1803 Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison, which Jefferson's letter predates, and since then, it has become a critical function of the judiciary, as predicted by Alexander Hamilton in Federalist No. 78.

User Bill Bruilding
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10 votes

Answer: B

Explanations just trust me it’s correctd

User Terje
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