Thomas Jefferson
1801-1809
Pragmatic: "Dealing with things sensibly and realistically" with an intended goal in mind.
Dead Clutch of the Judiciary
Samuel Chase, a federalist judge harshly criticized the Jeffersonians. Jefferson tried to get Samuel Chase impeached because of this, although he was just excercising his First Amendment right. Jefferson desperately needed Samuel Chase impeached, so Jefferson could appoint a Republican judge who would uphold the best intrests of the people in the future. He tried to make the best decison even though it went against his principle.
Dead Clutch of the Judiciary
A judge named Samuel Chase spoke out against Jefferson, and Jefferson tried to get him impeached. Samuel Chase was protected under the first Amendment of the Constituion, but Jefferson tried to impeach him on that basis. Jefferson went against his principle of a strict interpretation because he needed to get a republican judge in who could uphold the best intrests of the people.
Louisiana Purchase
Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson purchased the Louisiana territory from the French for $15 million and doubled the size of the union. It didn't say in the Constitution a president could make this decision, and he went against his principle because this purchase gave the gov. more federal power. He made this decision because he knew it would help and protect America in the future.
Embargo Act
Jeffersonian Restraint
Jefferson wanted limited federal power, which included having a national bank. When Jefferson came into office, he kept some aspects of Hamilton's financial plan, which included keeping the national bank. Jefferson chose to keep the bank because he felt it had the potential to benefit the American people in the future, even though it went against his principle.
A Pragmatist through and through.
Jefferson wasn't a perfect president, and there were some bumps along the way. But through it all, Jefferson was a pragmatist, and any decision he made while in office was trying to help the American people and trying to help America prosper into the future. Jefferson made some decisions that went against his principles, but in the end, he made the decison that he felt would benefit America the most. Jefferson was a pragmatist through and through.