Which former president attempted to "pack" the courts with Federalist judges?

The attempt to "pack" the courts with Federalist judges is historically attributed to President John Adams. After losing the presidential election to Thomas Jefferson, Adams signed the Judiciary Act of 1801, which created several new judicial positions that he then filled with Federalist judges, commonly referred to as the "Midnight Judges," just before leaving office. This move was intended to maintain Federalist influence in the judiciary despite their loss in the executive branch.

This situation set the stage for a significant constitutional conflict when Jefferson's administration sought to revoke the appointments, leading to landmark cases that defined the balance of power between branches of government. The actions of Adams serve as a crucial example of how a president can attempt to shape the judicial landscape, reflecting the contentious nature of political power during that period.