Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. – 1 Corinthians 15:51
President Warren G. Harding nominated former President William H. Taft as Chief Justice of the U.S. on this day in 1921. This nomination was made to fill an immediate vacancy due to the death of Chief Justice Edward White and was confirmed by the Senate the same day. Taft served as Chief Justice until he retired in 1930. During his tenure, he concentrated on how justice was administered. Taft also asked Congress to create the Conference of Senior Circuit (Chief) Judges to supervise court management. One of his more notable decisions was the decree that the president had the power to dismiss the executive branch officials without the approval of Congress. He also stated that the federal government had the power to implement specific financial regulations, defining the extent of power of Congress and the President, which aided in creating the separation of powers. President Taft is the only person who has served as president and chief justice.
As the Lord leads, pray with us…
- For Chief Justice John Roberts as he heads the U.S. Supreme Court.
- For the president and his advisors as they determine which individuals to nominate to various judicial vacancies.
