Question

What event took place during Washington's presidency that highlighted his power and authority to enforce the law?

Answer 1

The Whiskey Rebellion was a significant event during George Washington's presidency that illustrated his power and authority to enforce federal law, as he mobilized a large militia force to suppress the insurrection and upheld federal supremacy.

Step-by-step explanation:

George Washington's Enforcement of the Law

During George Washington's presidency, he sought to create a strong presidency and was keenly focused on demonstrating the executive authority to enforce the law. A pivotal event that highlighted his power and authority was the Whiskey Rebellion. This incident showed Washington's readiness to act decisively to uphold federal laws. When faced with an insurrection spurred by opposition to a federal tax on whiskey, Washington didn't hesitate to assert federal supremacy. He issued a proclamation and later called upon a militia force of 12,000 troops to suppress the rebellion, essentially showing that the federal government had the power and the will to enforce its laws. The rebellion's collapse and subsequent pardons issued by Washington further cemented his stance on upholding law and order, as well as setting a precedent for federal authority.

Answer 2

In 1792 Washington utilized his presidential veto power to stop an apportionment act from becoming law.

Step-by-step explanation:

In 1792 during the agitation for the formation of the number of representatives each state would provide in the federal House, Congress proposed a certain bill of apportionment act.

However, if the bill was passed, it would change the distribution and formation of federal House seats among the states. An outcome Washington deemed unconstitutional.

Hence, George Washington's presidency highlighted his power and authority to enforce the law by utilizing his presidential veto power to stop an apportionment act from becoming law.