Final answer:
President Roosevelt's attempt to influence the Supreme Court through the 'court-packing scheme' was a controversial move to adjust the checks and balances system. It faced significant opposition and ultimately failed, preserving the judicial branch's role in maintaining the balance of power in the U.S. government.
Step-by-step explanation:
President Roosevelt's Judicial Reforms
The system of checks and balances is a core aspect of the United States government's structure, ensuring that no single branch becomes too powerful. During President Roosevelt's tenure, he faced opposition from the Supreme Court, which had overturned several aspects of his New Deal legislation. In 1937, Roosevelt proposed the Judicial Procedures Reform Bill, widely known as the 'court-packing scheme', allowing him to appoint additional justices to the Supreme Court who would be more favorable to his policies. This plan was viewed as an attempt to override the judicial branch's check on the executive, drawing criticism as a power grab and threatening the separation of powers. Roosevelt's proposition ultimately failed to pass, preserving the integrity of the judicial system and its role in the balance of power.
The executive branch, while wielding significant power through the president's ability to nominate federal judges, is still subject to checks by the legislative branch and the public's scrutiny. The judicial branch, through the power of judicial review, maintains the responsibility to interpret laws and their constitutionality, which has evolved to play a substantial role in the U.S. government.