The Midnight Judges Act, also known as the Judiciary Act of 1801, expanded the federal judiciary of the United States. The act was supported by the John Adams administration and the Federalist Party. Opponents of the act argued that there was no need to expand the federal judiciary; that the judicial appointments were intended to cement Federalist Party control of the judiciary; and that appointments were rushed (hence they were stigmatized as “midnight appointments”). The act was repealed by the incoming Thomas Jefferson administration.